U.S. patent application number 16/949255 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-22 for window obscuration sensors for mobile gas and chemical imaging cameras.
The applicant listed for this patent is REBELLION PHOTONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Ohad Israel BALILA, Robert Timothy KESTER, Ryan MALLERY.
Application Number | 20210116362 16/949255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005307281 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210116362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MALLERY; Ryan ; et
al. |
April 22, 2021 |
WINDOW OBSCURATION SENSORS FOR MOBILE GAS AND CHEMICAL IMAGING
CAMERAS
Abstract
An infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration
of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system
can include an optical system including a focal plane array (FPA)
unit behind an optical window. The optical system can have
components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at
least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different
from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be
positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system
towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit
containing a processor that can be configured to acquire
multispectral optical data representing said target species from
the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. One or more of the
optical channels may be used in detecting objects on or near the
optical window, to avoid false detections of said target
species.
Inventors: |
MALLERY; Ryan; (Houston,
TX) ; BALILA; Ohad Israel; (Friendswood, TX) ;
KESTER; Robert Timothy; (Friendswood, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
REBELLION PHOTONICS, INC. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005307281 |
Appl. No.: |
16/949255 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16664615 |
Oct 25, 2019 |
10845302 |
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16949255 |
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16185399 |
Nov 9, 2018 |
10605725 |
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16664615 |
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62584076 |
Nov 9, 2017 |
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62584684 |
Nov 10, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01J 5/0806 20130101;
G01N 21/314 20130101; H04N 5/33 20130101; G01N 21/3504
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/3504 20060101
G01N021/3504; H04N 5/33 20060101 H04N005/33; G01J 5/08 20060101
G01J005/08; G01N 21/31 20060101 G01N021/31 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D
[0002] Funding for some portions of the technology disclosed in
this application was provided by the Advanced Research Projects
Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) under Contract Number DE-AR0000541. The
government may have certain rights in these portions of the
technology.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An IR imaging system for imaging a target species in a scene,
the IR imaging system comprising: a first camera system and a
second camera system, each configured to acquire image data of the
scene through an optical window, wherein the first camera system
and the second camera system comprise a first optical channel and a
second optical channel, respectively, from a plurality of spatially
and spectrally distinct optical channels; and a processing unit
configured to: analyze the image data from the first camera system
to detect the target species; and analyze the image data from the
second camera system to determine that the optical window is
obscured, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide a
window obscuration alert after determining that the optical window
is obscured.
22. The IR imaging system of claim 21, wherein the IR imaging
system further comprises: an optical focal plane array (FPA)
divided into portions; and a plurality of lens assemblies, each
lens assembly configured to focus light from the scene onto a
different one of the portions of the FPA.
23. The IR imaging system of claim 22, wherein: the first camera
system is formed from the plurality of lens assemblies and a
plurality of the portions of the FPA; and the second camera system
is formed from one of the plurality of lens assemblies and one of
the portions of the FPA.
24. The IR imaging system of claim 21, wherein the IR imaging
system is configured to evaluate contrast of the image data from
the second camera system to detect obscuration of the optical
window.
25. The IR imaging system of claim 21, wherein the IR imaging
system is configured to compensate for effects of attenuation due
to the optical window being obscured.
26. The IR imaging system of claim 21, wherein the processing unit
is configured to evaluate whether the image data from the first
camera system and the image data from the second camera system
exceed a threshold to determine whether the optical window is
obscured.
27. The IR imaging system of claim 21, wherein the processing unit
is configured to compare the image data from the first optical
channel and the second optical channel to detect whether the
optical window is obscured.
28. The IR imaging system of claim 27, wherein the processing unit
is configured to compare a first image and a second image from the
first optical channel and the second optical channel respectively
of the plurality of spatially and spectrally distinct optical
channels and use differences between the first image and the second
image caused by parallax to determine whether the optical window is
obscured.
29. The IR imaging system of claim 28, wherein the processing unit
is configured to apply an edge detection mask to the image data
from the first optical channel and the second optical channel.
30. An imaging system for imaging a target species in a scene, the
imaging system comprising: a first camera system and a second
camera system, each configured to acquire image data of the scene
through an optical window; an optical focal plane array (FPA)
divided into portions; lens assemblies, each lens assembly
configured to focus light from the scene onto a different one of
the portions of the FPA; and a processing unit configured to:
analyze the image data from the first camera system to detect the
target species; and analyze the image data from the second camera
system to determine that the optical window is obscured.
31. The imaging system of claim 30, wherein: the first camera
system is formed from a plurality of the lens assemblies and a
plurality of the portions of the FPA; and the second camera system
is formed from two of the lens assemblies and two of the portions
of the FPA.
32. The imaging system of claim 30, wherein the processing unit is
configured to provide a window obscuration alert after determining
that the optical window is obscured.
33. The imaging system of claim 32, wherein the processing unit is
configured to adjust the image data from the first camera system in
compensation for obscuration of the optical window.
34. The imaging system of claim 30, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply Sobel filter to the image data to create a
first gradient image and a second gradient image.
35. The imaging system of claim 30, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply an edge detection mask to the image data from a
first optical channel and a second optical channel.
36. A method of detecting obscuration of an optical window in an
imaging system, the imaging system comprising a first camera
system, a second camera system, an optical focal plane array (FPA)
divided into portions, and a plurality of lens assemblies, each
lens assembly configured to focus light from a scene onto a
different one of the portions of the FPA, the method comprising:
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA and a
second image from a second portion of the FPA; transforming the
first image and the second image into respective a first gradient
image and a second gradient image; and providing a window
obscuration alert after determining that a cross-correlation value
between the first gradient image and the second gradient image
exceeds a predetermined threshold.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein determining that the first
gradient image and the second gradient image have the
cross-correlation value that exceeds the predetermined threshold
comprises: determining a plurality of cross-correlation values,
each being associated with a different alignment of the first
gradient image and the second gradient image; and determining that
at least one cross-correlation value in the plurality of
cross-correlation values exceeds the predetermined threshold.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein transforming the first image
and the second image into the first gradient image and the second
gradient image respectively comprises applying a Sobel filter to
the first image and the second image.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising, prior to
cross-correlating the first gradient image and the second gradient
image, normalizing each of the first gradient image and the second
gradient image.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein normalizing each of the first
gradient image and the second gradient image comprises, for each
gradient image, subtracting a median value from each gradient image
and dividing each gradient image by a standard deviation value.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/185,399, filed Nov. 9, 2018, entitled
"WINDOW OBSCURATION SENSORS FOR MOBILE GAS AND CHEMICAL IMAGING
CAMERAS", which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/584,076, filed Nov. 9, 2017, entitled "WINDOW
OBSCURATION SENSORS FOR MOBILE GAS AND CHEMICAL IMAGING CAMERAS;"
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/584,684, filed Nov.
10, 2017, entitled "WINDOW OBSCURATION SENSORS FOR MOBILE GAS AND
CHEMICAL IMAGING CAMERAS;" the entire contents of each of which are
hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and for
all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a system and
method for gas cloud detection and, in particular, to a system and
method of detecting obscuration of a camera window in gas and
chemical imaging cameras.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY
[0004] Spectral imaging systems and methods have applications in a
variety of fields. Spectral imaging systems and methods obtain a
spectral image of a scene in one or more regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum to detect phenomena, identify material
compositions or characterize processes. The spectral image of the
scene can be represented as a three-dimensional data cube where two
axes of the cube represent two spatial dimensions of the scene and
a third axis of the data cube represents spectral information of
the scene in different wavelength regions. The data cube can be
processed using mathematical methods to obtain information about
the scene. Some of the existing spectral imaging systems generate
the data cube by scanning the scene in the spatial domain (e.g., by
moving a slit across the horizontal dimensions of the scene) and/or
spectral domain (e.g., by scanning a wavelength dispersive element
to obtain images of the scene in different spectral regions). Such
scanning approaches acquire only a portion of the full data cube at
a time. These portions of the full data cube are stored and then
later processed to generate a full data cube.
SUMMARY
[0005] The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each
have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely
responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.
[0006] Various examples of imaging systems comprising an optical
window and with capabilities to determine if the optical window is
obscured (e.g., to detect objects on or in front of the window that
may introduce obscuration that may degrade operation of the system)
are described herein such as the examples enumerated below:
[0007] Example 1: An example of an infrared (IR) imaging system
comprising: [0008] a housing; [0009] an optical window disposed on
the housing; [0010] an optical detector system disposed within the
housing; and [0011] a plurality of spatially and spectrally
distinct optical channels that transfer incident IR radiation from
the optical window to the optical detector system, wherein a first
optical channel out of the plurality of optical channels has a
focus distance that is closer to the optical window than at least
some of the other optical channels of the plurality of optical
channels to detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0012] Example 2: The IR imaging system of Example 1, wherein the
first optical channel out of the plurality of optical channels has
a focus less than 2 meters and other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have a focus of greater than 10
meters.
[0013] Example 3: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
2, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 20 meters.
[0014] Example 4: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
3, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 30 meters.
[0015] Example 5: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
4, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 10 meters.
[0016] Example 6: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
5, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 20 meters.
[0017] Example 7: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
6, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 30 meters.
[0018] Example 8: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
7, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 5
meters greater than the focus distance of the first optical
channel.
[0019] Example 9: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1 to
8, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 10
meters greater than the focus distance of the first optical
channel.
[0020] Example 10: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 9, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 20
meters greater than the focus distance of the first optical
channel.
[0021] Example 11: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 10, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus distance of 1 meter or less.
[0022] Example 12: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 11, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus distance of 2 meter or less.
[0023] Example 13: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 12, wherein the first optical channel and the other optical
channels include imaging lenses for imaging objects onto the
optical detector system, said imaging lenses having focal
lengths.
[0024] Example 14: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 13, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the first optical channel.
[0025] Example 15: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 14, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the first optical channel by
at least 2.times..
[0026] Example 16: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 15, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the first optical channel by
at least 5.times..
[0027] Example 17: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 16, wherein the first optical channel is in focus at the optical
window to detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0028] Example 18: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 17, wherein the first optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the first optical channel extends between a depth
of the optical window and approximately 1 meter beyond the optical
window.
[0029] Example 19: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 18, wherein the first optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the first optical channel extends between a depth
of the optical window and approximately 50 cm beyond the optical
window.
[0030] Example 20: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 19, wherein the first optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the first optical channel extends between a depth
of the optical window and approximately 20 cm beyond the optical
window.
[0031] Example 21: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 20, wherein the first optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the first optical channel extends between a depth
of the optical window and approximately 10 cm beyond the optical
window.
[0032] Example 22: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 21, further comprising: [0033] a processing unit comprising
processing electronics configured to process image data from the
first optical channel to detect whether the optical window is
obscured.
[0034] Example 23: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 22, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate how
much of the image data is in focus to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0035] Example 24: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 23, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate the
contrast of the image data to detect whether the optical window is
obscured.
[0036] Example 25: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 24, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
enhancement of the image data.
[0037] Example 26: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 25, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
detection of the image data.
[0038] Example 27: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 26, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform
normalization of the image data.
[0039] Example 28: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 27, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
scaling the image data.
[0040] Example 29: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 28, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
subtracting from the image data.
[0041] Example 30: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 29, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate
whether image data exceeds a threshold to determine whether the
optical window is obscured.
[0042] Example 31: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 30, wherein a second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus distance that is closer to the optical
window than at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels to detect whether the optical window
is obscured.
[0043] Example 32: The IR imaging system of Example 31, wherein the
second optical channel out of the plurality of optical channels has
a focus less than 2 meters and other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have a focus of greater than 10
meters.
[0044] Example 33: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 32, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 20 meters.
[0045] Example 34: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 33, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 30 meters.
[0046] Example 35: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 34, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 10 meters.
[0047] Example 36: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 35, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 20 meters.
[0048] Example 37: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 36, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less and other optical
channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus of
greater than 30 meters.
[0049] Example 38: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 37, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 5
meters greater than the focus distance of the second optical
channel.
[0050] Example 39: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 38, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 10
meters greater than the focus distance of the second optical
channel.
[0051] Example 40: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 39, wherein at least some of the other optical channels of the
plurality of optical channels have focus distances at least 20
meters greater than the focus distance of the second optical
channel.
[0052] Example 41: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 40, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus distance of 1 meter or less.
[0053] Example 42: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 41, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels has a focus distance of 2 meter or less.
[0054] Example 43: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 42, wherein the second optical channel and the other optical
channels include imaging lenses for imaging objects onto the
optical detector system, said imaging lenses having focal
lengths.
[0055] Example 44: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 43, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the second optical
channel.
[0056] Example 45: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 44, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the second optical channel by
at least 2.times..
[0057] Example 46: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 45, wherein the focal lengths for lenses in the other optical
channels exceed the focal length for the second optical channel by
at least 5.times..
[0058] Example 47: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 46, wherein a second optical channel out of the plurality of
optical channels is in focus at the optical window to detect
whether the optical window is obscured.
[0059] Example 48: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 47, wherein the second optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the second optical channel extends between a
depth of the optical window and approximately 1 meter beyond the
optical window.
[0060] Example 49: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 48, wherein the second optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the second optical channel extends between a
depth of the optical window and approximately 50 cm beyond the
optical window.
[0061] Example 50: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 49, wherein the second optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the second optical channel extends between a
depth of the optical window and approximately 20 cm beyond the
optical window.
[0062] Example 51: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 50, wherein the second optical channel has a depth of field over
which the optical channel is substantially in focus and wherein the
depth of field of the second optical channel extends between a
depth of the optical window and approximately 10 cm beyond the
optical window.
[0063] Example 52: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 51, wherein the processing unit is configured to process image
data from the second optical channel to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0064] Example 53: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 52, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate how
much of the image data from the second optical channel is in focus
to detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0065] Example 54: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 53, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate the
contrast of the image data from the second optical channel to
detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0066] Example 55: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 54, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
enhancement of the image data from the second optical channel.
[0067] Example 56: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 55, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
detection of the image data from the second optical channel.
[0068] Example 57: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 56, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform
normalization of the image data from the second optical
channel.
[0069] Example 58: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 57, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
scaling the image data from the second optical channel.
[0070] Example 59: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 58, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
subtracting from the image data from the second optical
channel.
[0071] Example 60: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 59, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate
whether image data from the second optical channel exceeds a
threshold to determine whether the optical window is obscured.
[0072] Example 61: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 60, wherein a plurality of the optical channels are in focus at
optical infinity to detect a target species.
[0073] Example 62: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 61, wherein a plurality of the optical channels are in focus at
a distance of at least 10 meters to detect a target species.
[0074] Example 63: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 62, wherein a plurality of the optical channels are in focus at
a distance of at least 20 meters to detect a target species.
[0075] Example 64: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 63, wherein the processing unit is further configured to process
image data from the plurality of optical channels to detect the
target species.
[0076] Example 65: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 64, wherein the optical detector system comprises a plurality of
optical detectors, each of which is associated with a respective
one of the optical channels.
[0077] Example 66: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 65, wherein the optical detector system comprises at least one
optical detector having a plurality of regions, each of the regions
being associated with a respective one of the optical channels.
[0078] Example 67: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 66, wherein: [0079] a second optical channel out of the
plurality of optical channels is in focus at the optical window;
and [0080] the processing unit is configured to process image data
from the first and second optical channels to detect whether the
optical window is obscured.
[0081] Example 68: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 67, wherein the processing unit is configured to: [0082] compare
image data from the first and second optical channels to detect
whether the optical window is obscured.
[0083] Example 69: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 68, wherein comparing the first and second images comprises
comparing the first and second images and using differences between
the first and second images caused by parallax to determine whether
the optical window is obscured.
[0084] Example 70: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 69, wherein comparing the first and second images comprises
performing a correlation of the first and second images.
[0085] Example 71: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 70, wherein the first and second optical channels are spatially
distinct in a given direction and wherein processing unit is
configured to: [0086] comparing image data from the first and
second optical channels at a plurality of offsets along the given
direction to detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0087] Example 72: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 71, wherein the processing unit is configured to enhance edges
in the image data from the two optical channels.
[0088] Example 73: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 72, wherein the processing unit is configured to apply an
unsharp mask to the image data from the two optical channels.
[0089] Example 74: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 73, wherein the processing unit is configured to subtract at
least one reference image from the image data from the two optical
channels.
[0090] Example 75: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 74, wherein the processing unit is configured to detect edges in
the image data from the two optical channels.
[0091] Example 76: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 75, wherein the processing unit is configured to apply an edge
detection mask to the image data from the two optical channels.
[0092] Example 77: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 76, wherein the processing unit is configured to apply Sobel
filter to the image data from the two optical channels.
[0093] Example 78: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 77, wherein the processing unit is configured to apply Sobel
filter to the image data from the two optical channels to create
first and second gradient images.
[0094] Example 79: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 78, wherein the processing unit is configured to normalize the
first and second gradient images.
[0095] Example 80: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 79, wherein the processing unit is configured to cross-correlate
the first and second gradient images to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0096] Example 81: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 80, wherein the window is embedded in the housing or is in an
opening in the housing.
[0097] Example 82: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 81, wherein the IR imaging system is configured to compensate
for effects of attenuation due to the window being obscured.
[0098] Example 83: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 82, wherein said IR imaging system is configured to perform
spectral analysis on images to detect target species and is
configured to compensate for effects of attenuation due to the
window being obscured on said spectral analysis.
[0099] Example 84: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 1
to 83, wherein said IR imaging system is configured to perform
spectral analysis on images to detect target species and is
configured to deemphasize one or more frames of infrared image data
from the other optical channels of the plurality of optical
channels in the determination of the presence of a target
species.
[0100] Example 85: An example of an infrared (IR) imaging system
for imaging a target species in a scene, the IR imaging system
comprising: [0101] an optical window; [0102] a first camera system
configured to acquire infrared image data of the scene through the
optical window; [0103] a second camera system focused closer to the
optical window than the first camera system; and [0104] a
processing unit containing a processor configured to: [0105]
analyze the infrared image data from the first camera system to
detect the target species based on the infrared image data; and
[0106] analyze image data from the second camera system to
determine that the optical window is obscured based on the image
data from the second camera system.
[0107] Example 86: The IR imaging system of Example 85, wherein the
first and second camera system comprise first and second optical
channels that are spatially and spectrally distinct.
[0108] Example 87: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 86, wherein said processing unit is configured to provide a
window obscuration alert after determining that the optical window
is obscured.
[0109] Example 88: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 87, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive the
window obscuration alert and, in response, to adjust the infrared
image data from the first camera system in compensation for the
obscuration of the optical window.
[0110] Example 89: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 88, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive the
window obscuration alert and, in response, to disable analysis of
the infrared image data from the first camera system.
[0111] Example 90: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 89, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive the
window obscuration alert and, in response, deemphasize one or more
frames of infrared image data from the first camera system in the
determination of the presence of a target species.
[0112] Example 91: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 90, wherein the IR imaging system is configured to compensate
for effects of attenuation due to the window being obscured.
[0113] Example 92: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 91, wherein said IR imaging system is configured to perform
spectral analysis on images to detect target species and is
configured to compensate for effects of attenuation due to the
window being obscured on said spectral analysis.
[0114] Example 93: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 92, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide the
window obscuration alert to a user.
[0115] Example 94: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 93, wherein the IR imaging system further comprises: [0116] an
optical focal plane array (FPA) divided into portions; and [0117] a
plurality of lens assemblies, each lens assembly configured to
focus light from the scene onto a different one of the portions of
the FPA.
[0118] Example 95: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 94, wherein: [0119] the first camera system is formed from a
plurality of the lens assemblies and a plurality of the portions of
the FPA; and [0120] the second camera system is formed from one of
the lens assemblies and one of the portions of the FPA.
[0121] Example 96: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 95, wherein: [0122] the first camera system is formed from a
plurality of the lens assemblies and a plurality of the portions of
the FPA; and [0123] the second camera system is formed from two of
the lens assemblies and two of the portions of the FPA.
[0124] Example 97: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 96, wherein: [0125] the first camera system is formed from a
plurality of the lens assemblies and a plurality of the portions of
the FPA; and [0126] the second camera system is formed from two of
the lens assemblies and two of the portions of the FPA, wherein the
two lens assemblies and the two portions of the FPA that form the
second camera system comprise adjacent lens assemblies and adjacent
portions of the FPA.
[0127] Example 98: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 97, wherein the IR imaging system further comprises: [0128] a
plurality of optical focal plane arrays (FPA); and [0129] a
plurality of lenses, different lenses configured to focus light
from the scene onto a different ones of FPAs.
[0130] Example 99: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 98, wherein the IR imaging system further comprises: [0131] a
plurality of optical focal plane arrays (FPA); and [0132] a
plurality of lens assemblies, different lens assemblies configured
to focus light from the scene onto a different ones of FPAs.
[0133] Example 100: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 99, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate how
much of the image data is in focus to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0134] Example 101: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 100, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate the
contrast of the image data to detect whether the optical window is
obscured.
[0135] Example 102: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 101, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
enhancement of the image data.
[0136] Example 103: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 102, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform edge
detection of the image data.
[0137] Example 104: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 103, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform
normalization of the image data.
[0138] Example 105: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 104, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
scaling the image data.
[0139] Example 106: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 105, wherein the normalization of the image data comprises
subtracting from the image data.
[0140] Example 107: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 106, wherein the processing unit is configured to evaluate
whether image data exceeds a threshold to determine whether the
optical window is obscured.
[0141] Example 108: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 107, wherein analyzing image data from the second camera system
comprises: [0142] analyzing image data from first and second
optical channels of the second camera system to detect whether the
optical window is obscured.
[0143] Example 109: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 108, wherein the processing unit is configured to: [0144]
compare image data from the first and second optical channels to
detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0145] Example 110: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 109, wherein comparing the first and second images comprises
comparing the first and second images and using differences between
the first and second images caused by parallax to determine whether
the optical window is obscured.
[0146] Example 111: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 110, wherein comparing the first and second images comprises
performing a correlation of the first and second images.
[0147] Example 112: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 111, wherein the first and second optical channels are spatially
distinct in a given direction and wherein processing unit is
configured to: [0148] comparing image data from the first and
second optical channels at a plurality of offsets along the given
direction to detect whether the optical window is obscured.
[0149] Example 113: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 112, wherein the processing unit is configured to enhance edges
in the image data from the first and second optical channels.
[0150] Example 114: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 113, wherein the processing unit is configured to subtract at
least one reference image from the image data from the first and
second optical channels.
[0151] Example 115: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 114, wherein the processing unit is configured to detect edges
in the image data from the first and second optical channels.
[0152] Example 116: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 115, wherein the processing unit is configured to apply an edge
detection mask to the image data from the first and second optical
channels.
[0153] Example 117: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 116, wherein the processing unit containing the processor is
configured to determine that the optical window is obscured based
on the image data from the second camera system by: [0154]
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0155]
receiving a second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0156]
transforming the first and second images into respective first and
second gradient images; [0157] determining that the gradient images
have gradient values that exceed a first predetermined threshold;
[0158] providing the window obscuration alert after determining
that the gradient values exceed the first predetermined
threshold.
[0159] Example 118: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 117, wherein the processing unit containing the processor is
configured to determine that the optical window is obscured based
on the image data from the second camera system by: [0160]
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0161]
receiving a second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0162]
transforming the first and second images into respective first and
second gradient images; [0163] determining that the first and
second gradient images have a cross-correlation value that exceeds
a first predetermined threshold; and [0164] providing the window
obscuration alert after determining that the cross-correlation
value exceeds the first predetermined threshold.
[0165] Example 119: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 118, wherein the processing unit containing the processor is
configured to determine that the optical window is obscured based
on the image data from the second camera system by: [0166]
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0167]
receiving a second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0168]
transforming the first and second images into respective first and
second gradient images; [0169] determining that the gradient images
have gradient values that exceed a first predetermined threshold;
[0170] cross-correlating the first and second gradient images;
[0171] determining that the first and second gradient images have a
cross-correlation value that exceeds a second predetermined
threshold; and [0172] providing the window obscuration alert after
determining that the gradient values exceed the first predetermined
threshold and the cross-correlation value exceeds the second
predetermined threshold.
[0173] Example 120: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 119, wherein: [0174] determining that the first and second
gradient images have a cross-correlation value that exceeds a
second predetermined threshold comprises: [0175] determining a
plurality of cross-correlation values, each being associated with a
different alignment of the first and second gradient images; and
[0176] determining that at least one cross-correlation value in the
plurality of cross-correlation values exceeds the second
predetermined threshold.
[0177] Example 121: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 120, wherein: [0178] determining that the first and second
gradient images have a cross-correlation value that exceeds a
second predetermined threshold comprises: [0179] determining a
plurality of cross-correlation values, each being associated with a
different alignment of the first and second gradient images; [0180]
identifying a first cross-correlation value in the plurality of
cross-correlation values; [0181] subtracting the first
cross-correlation value from each of the cross-correlation values
in the plurality of cross-correlation values; [0182] after
subtracting the first cross-correlation value, identifying a second
cross-correlation value in the plurality of cross-correlation
values; and [0183] determining that the second cross-correlation
value exceeds the second predetermined threshold.
[0184] Example 122: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 121, wherein transforming the first and second images into
respective first and second gradient images comprises applying a
Sobel filter to the first and second images.
[0185] Example 123: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 122, wherein transforming the first and second images into
respective first and second gradient images comprises applying a
Sobel filter to the first and second images and removing values
from the gradient images that fall below a predetermined
threshold.
[0186] Example 124: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 123, wherein, prior to cross-correlating the first and second
gradient images, the processing unit is configured to normalize
each of the gradient images.
[0187] Example 125: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 124, wherein, prior to cross-correlating the first and second
gradient images, the processing unit is configured to normalize
each of the gradient images by, for each gradient image,
subtracting a median value from each gradient image and dividing
each gradient image by a standard deviation value.
[0188] Example 126: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 125, wherein, prior to cross-correlating the first and second
gradient images, the processing unit is configured to normalize
each of the gradient images.
[0189] Example 127: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 126, wherein, prior to transforming the first and second images
into respective first and second gradient images, the processing
unit is configured to subtract a first reference image from the
first image and subtract a second reference image from the second
image.
[0190] Example 128: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 127, wherein the second camera system is focused within 1 meter
of the optical window.
[0191] Example 129: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 128, wherein the second camera system is focused within 2 meters
of the optical window.
[0192] Example 130: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 129, wherein the second camera system is focused on the optical
window.
[0193] Example 131: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 130, wherein the first camera system is focused at a distance of
at least 10 meters.
[0194] Example 132: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 131, wherein the first camera system is focused at a distance of
at least 20 meters.
[0195] Example 133: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 132, wherein the first camera system is focused at a distance of
at least 25 meters.
[0196] Example 134: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 133, wherein the first and second camera systems have respective
imaging lenses having respective focal lengths, and the focal
length for the first camera is 2 times as large as the focal length
for the second camera.
[0197] Example 135: The IR imaging system of any one of Examples 85
to 134, wherein the first and second camera systems have respective
imaging lenses having respective focal lengths, and the focal
length for the first camera is 5 times as large as the focal length
for the second camera.
[0198] Example 136: An example of a method of detecting whether an
optical window in an IR imaging system is obscured, the IR imaging
system comprising processing circuitry and a plurality of spatially
and spectrally distinct optical channels, each optical channel
including a set of lenses that focus incident IR light on a
respective portion of an optical detector system, the method
comprising: [0199] with the processing circuitry, receiving a first
image from a first optical channel in the plurality of optical
channels; [0200] with the processing circuitry, receiving a second
image from a second optical channel in the plurality of optical
channels; and [0201] with the processing circuitry, analyzing the
first and second images to detect whether the optical window is
obscured.
[0202] Example 137: The method of Example 136, wherein the first
and second images are in focus at the depth of the optical
window.
[0203] Example 138: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 137,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises, with the
processing circuitry, comparing the first and second images to
identify whether the optical window is obscured.
[0204] Example 139: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 138,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises, with the
processing circuitry, comparing the first and second images and
using differences between the first and second images caused by
parallax to determine whether the optical window is obscured.
[0205] Example 140: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 139,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises evaluating
how much of the images are in focus to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0206] Example 141: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 140,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises evaluating
the contrast of the images to detect whether the optical window is
obscured.
[0207] Example 142: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 141,
further comprising performing edge enhancement.
[0208] Example 143: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 142,
further comprising performing edge detection.
[0209] Example 144: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 143,
further comprising normalizing image data.
[0210] Example 145: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 144,
wherein the normalizing comprises scaling image data.
[0211] Example 146: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 145,
wherein the normalizing comprises subtracting from image data.
[0212] Example 147: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 146,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises performing
a correlation of the first and second images.
[0213] Example 148: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 147,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises comparing
image data from the first and second images at a plurality of
offsets along the given direction to detect whether the optical
window is obscured.
[0214] Example 149: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 148,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises evaluating
whether image data exceeds a threshold to determine whether the
optical window is obscured.
[0215] Example 150: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 149,
wherein analyzing the first and second images comprises, with the
processing circuitry, applying an unsharp mask to the first and
second images.
[0216] Example 151: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 150,
further comprising: [0217] with the processing circuitry,
subtracting a first reference image from the first image and
subtracting a second reference image from the second image.
[0218] Example 152: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 151,
further comprising: [0219] with the processing circuitry, detecting
edges in the first and second images.
[0220] Example 153: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 152,
further comprising: [0221] with the processing circuitry, applying
a Sobel filter to the first and second images.
[0222] Example 154: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 153,
further comprising: [0223] with the processing circuitry, applying
a Sobel filter to the first and second images to create respective
first and second gradient images.
[0224] Example 155: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 154,
further comprising: [0225] with the processing circuitry,
normalizing the first and second gradient images.
[0226] Example 156: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 155,
further comprising: [0227] with the processing circuitry,
cross-correlating the first and second gradient images.
[0228] Example 157: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 156,
further comprising: [0229] with the processing circuitry,
determining that at least one cross-correlation between the first
and second gradient images exceeds a first window obscuration
threshold and that the first and second gradient images exceed a
second window obscuration threshold and, in response, providing an
alert that the optical window is obscured.
[0230] Example 158: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 157,
further comprising detecting a target species based on image data
from said plurality of spatially and spectrally distinct optical
channels.
[0231] Example 159: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 158,
further comprising performing spectral analysis to detect said
target species.
[0232] Example 160: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 159,
further comprising adjusting image data from the plurality of
optical channels to compensate for effects of attenuation due to
the window being obscured.
[0233] Example 161: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 160,
further comprising de-emphasizing one or more frames of image data
from the plurality of optical channels in the determination of the
presence of a target species.
[0234] Example 162: The method of any one of Examples 136 to 161,
further comprising sending an alert when the window is
obscured.
[0235] Any of Examples 1 to 162 can include any of the features
described above (for example, any of the features in Examples 1 to
162).
[0236] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter
described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying
drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and
advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings
and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following
figures may not be drawn to scale.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0237] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an imaging system including a
common front objective lens that has a pupil divided spectrally and
re-imaged with a plurality of lenses onto an infrared focal plane
array (FPA), sometimes referred to here as a divided-aperture
infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system.
[0238] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with a divided front objective
lens and an array of infrared sensing FPAs.
[0239] FIG. 3A represents an embodiment employing an array of front
objective lenses operably matched with the re-imaging lens
array.
[0240] FIG. 3B illustrates a two-dimensional array of optical
components corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3A.
[0241] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile
infrared imaging system configured to be carried or worn by a human
user.
[0242] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation
site that can be monitored by multiple infrared imaging
systems.
[0243] FIG. 5 is a schematic system block diagram showing a mobile
infrared imaging system, according to one embodiment.
[0244] FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a system,
according to various embodiments.
[0245] FIG. 6B is a schematic rear perspective view of the system
shown in FIG. 6A.
[0246] FIG. 6C is a schematic front perspective view of a system
according to various embodiments.
[0247] FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an example
mobile infrared imaging system.
[0248] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an example mobile infrared
imaging system in which two of the optical channels are configured
as window obscuration sensors.
[0249] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of example optical filters
for an imaging system having divided optical channels and having a
window obscuration sensor formed from at least one of the optical
channels.
[0250] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an example DAISI system
illustrating distances between an optical window, an array of
lenses, and a focal plane array (FPA).
[0251] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
one example of detecting objects on or near an optical window of
the DAISI system.
[0252] FIGS. 11A and 11B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a
fishing lure approximately 2 cm away from the optical window.
[0253] FIGS. 12A and 12B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a
fishing lure approximately 20 cm away from the optical window.
[0254] FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a
fishing lure approximately 50 cm away from the optical window.
[0255] FIGS. 14A and 14B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a
tennis racket approximately 2 cm away from the optical window.
[0256] FIGS. 15A and 15B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a
moving object approximately 2 meters away from the optical
window.
[0257] FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B show an example of various
stages of processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors
with water drops sprinkled onto the optical window.
[0258] FIGS. 18A and 18B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with water
drops sprinkled onto the optical window and a fishing lure
approximately 50 cm away from the optical window.
[0259] FIGS. 19A and 19B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with water
drops sprinkled onto the optical window and with a moving tennis
racket approximately 1 meter away from the optical window.
[0260] FIGS. 20A and 20B show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with water
drops sprinkled onto the optical window and with a moving object
approximately 2 meters away from the optical window.
[0261] FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C show an example of various stages of
processing of data taken by window obscuration sensors with a gas
release at a distance of 5 cm away from the optical window.
[0262] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. OVERVIEW OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0263] The following description is directed to certain
implementations for the purposes of describing the innovative
aspects of this disclosure. However, a person having ordinary skill
in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be
applied in a multitude of different ways. The described
implementations may be implemented in any device, apparatus, or
system that can be configured to operate as an imaging system such
as in an infra-red imaging system. The methods and systems
described herein can be included in or associated with a variety of
devices such as, but not limited to devices used for visible and
infrared spectroscopy, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging
devices used in oil and gas exploration, refining, and
transportation, agriculture, remote sensing, defense and homeland
security, surveillance, astronomy, environmental monitoring, etc.
The methods and systems described herein have applications in a
variety of fields including but not limited to agriculture,
biology, physics, chemistry, defense and homeland security,
environment, oil and gas industry, etc. The teachings are not
intended to be limited to the implementations depicted solely in
the Figures, but instead have wide applicability as will be readily
apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0264] The spectral image of the scene can be represented as a
three-dimensional data cube where two axes of the cube represent
two spatial dimensions of the scene and a third axis of the data
cube represents spectral information of the scene in different
wavelength regions. The data cube can be processed using
mathematical methods to obtain information about the scene. Some of
the existing spectral imaging systems generate the data cube by
scanning the scene in the spatial domain (e.g., by moving a slit
across the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the scene) and/or
spectral domain Such scanning approaches acquire only a portion of
the full data cube at a time. These portions of the full data cube
are stored and then later processed to generate a full data
cube.
[0265] Various embodiments disclosed herein describe a
divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that is
structured and adapted to provide identification of target chemical
contents of the imaged scene. The system is based on
spectrally-resolved imaging and can provide such identification
with a single-shot (also referred to as a snapshot) comprising a
plurality of images having different wavelength compositions that
are obtained generally simultaneously. Without any loss of
generality, snapshot refers to a system in which most of the data
elements that are collected are continuously viewing the light
emitted from the scene. In contrast in scanning systems, at any
given time only a minority of data elements are continuously
viewing a scene, followed by a different set of data elements, and
so on, until the full dataset is collected. Relatively fast
operation can be achieved in a snapshot system because it does not
need to use spectral or spatial scanning for the acquisition of
infrared (IR) spectral signatures of the target chemical contents.
Instead, IR detectors (such as, for example, infrared focal plane
arrays or FPAs) associated with a plurality of different optical
channels having different wavelength profiles can be used to form a
spectral cube of imaging data. Although spectral data can be
obtained from a single snapshot comprising multiple simultaneously
acquired images corresponding to different wavelength ranges, in
various embodiments, multiple snap shots may be obtained. In
various embodiments, these multiple snapshots can be averaged.
Similarly, in certain embodiments multiple snap shots may be
obtained and a portion of these can be selected and possibly
averaged. Also, in contrast to commonly used IR spectral imaging
systems, the DAISI system does not require cooling. Accordingly, it
can advantageously use uncooled infrared detectors. For example, in
various implementations, the imaging systems disclosed herein do
not include detectors configured to be cooled to a temperature
below 300 Kelvin. As another example, in various implementations,
the imaging systems disclosed herein do not include detectors
configured to be cooled to a temperature below 273 Kelvin. As yet
another example, in various implementations, the imaging systems
disclosed herein do not include detectors configured to be cooled
to a temperature below 250 Kelvin. As another example, in various
implementations, the imaging systems disclosed herein do not
include detectors configured to be cooled to a temperature below
200 Kelvin.
[0266] Implementations disclosed herein provide several advantages
over existing IR spectral imaging systems, most if not all of which
may require FPAs that are highly sensitive and cooled in order to
compensate, during the optical detection, for the reduction of the
photon flux caused by spectrum-scanning operation. The highly
sensitive and cooled FPA systems are expensive and require a great
deal of maintenance. Since various embodiments disclosed herein are
configured to operate in single-shot acquisition mode without
spatial and/or spectral scanning, the instrument can receive
photons from a plurality of points (e.g., every point) of the
object substantially simultaneously, during the single reading.
Accordingly, the embodiments of imaging system described herein can
collect a substantially greater amount of optical power from the
imaged scene (for example, an order of magnitude more photons) at
any given moment in time especially in comparison with spatial
and/or spectral scanning systems. Consequently, various embodiments
of the imaging systems disclosed herein can be operated using
uncooled detectors (for example, FPA unit including an array of
microbolometers) that are less sensitive to photons in the IR but
are well fit for continuous monitoring applications. For example,
in various implementations, the imaging systems disclosed herein do
not include detectors configured to be cooled to a temperature
below 300 Kelvin. As another example, in various implementations,
the imaging systems disclosed herein do not include detectors
configured to be cooled to a temperature below 273 Kelvin. As yet
another example, in various implementations, the imaging systems
disclosed herein do not include detectors configured to be cooled
to a temperature below 250 Kelvin. As another example, in various
implementations, the imaging systems disclosed herein do not
include detectors configured to be cooled to a temperature below
200 Kelvin. Imaging systems including uncooled detectors can be
capable of operating in extreme weather conditions, require less
power, are capable of operation during day and night, and are less
expensive. Some embodiments described herein can also be less
susceptible to motion artifacts in comparison with spatially and/or
spectrally scanning systems which can cause errors in either the
spectral data, spatial data, or both.
[0267] In various embodiments disclosed herein, the DAISI system
can be mobile. For example, the DAISI system can be configured to
be worn or carried by a person, e.g., the DAISI system can be
miniaturized to fit in a relatively small housing or compartment.
For example, the components of the DAISI system can be sized and
shaped to fit within small dimensions and can have a mass
sufficiently small to enable the human user to carry or wear the
system without undue exertion. As explained herein, in some
embodiments, the DAISI system can be sized and shaped to fit within
a volume of less than about 300 cubic inches, or in some
embodiments, less than about 200 cubic inches. In still other
embodiments, the DAISI system can be sized and shaped to fit within
a volume less than about 100 cubic inches. For example, in some
arrangements, the DAISI system can be sized and shaped to fit
within a volume in a range of about 50 cubic inches to about 300
cubic inches. In other arrangements, the DAISI system can be sized
and shaped to fit within a volume in a range of about 80 cubic
inches to about 200 cubic inches.
[0268] Advantageously, such a portable and/or wearable DAISI system
can enable the user to monitor installations in remote locations
and to detect the presence of various gases (e.g., poisonous gases)
in real-time. Further, the portable DAISI system can enable the
user to travel to different installations to monitor the presence
of gases or chemicals in multiple locations. For example, the user
may travel to an oil drilling installation in which oil is pumped
from the ground. The user can carry or attach the portable DAISI
system to his or her clothing or body (e.g., by way of a clip, hat,
etc.) and can activate the system while he or she is on-site.
Optical components on board the portable DAISI system can capture
one or more snapshot multispectral images of portions of the
installation susceptible to gas or chemical leaks. Computing units
on board the portable DAISI system can process the captured
multispectral image data to detect and/or classify gases or
chemicals present at the site. A communications module can notify
the user of the detected gases. For example, in various
embodiments, the communications module can send a notification to a
user interface (such as a set of computing eyeglasses, a mobile
computing device such as a mobile smartphone, a tablet computing
device, a laptop computing device, or any other suitable
interface), and the user interface can display information about
the detected gases to the user in real-time, e.g., at the oil
drilling installation.
II. EXAMPLES OF DIVIDED APERTURE INFRARED SPECTRAL IMAGER
SYSTEMS
[0269] FIG. 1 provides a diagram schematically illustrating spatial
and spectral division of incoming light by an embodiment 100 of a
divided aperture infrared spectral imager (DAISI) system that can
image an object 110 possessing IR spectral signature(s). The system
100 includes a front objective lens 124, an array of optical
filters 130, an array of reimaging lenses 128 and a detector array
136. In various embodiments, the detector array 136 can include a
single FPA or an array of FPAs. Each detector in the detector array
136 can be disposed at the focus of each of the lenses in the array
of reimaging lenses 128. In various embodiments, the detector array
136 can include a plurality of photo-sensitive devices. In some
embodiments, the plurality of photo-sensitive devices may comprise
a two-dimensional imaging sensor array that is sensitive to
radiation having wavelengths between 1 .mu.m and 20 .mu.m (for
example, in near infra-red wavelength range, mid infra-red
wavelength range, or long infra-red wavelength range). In various
embodiments, the plurality of photo-sensitive devices can include
CCD or CMOS sensors, bolometers, microbolometers or other detectors
that are sensitive to infra-red radiation.
[0270] An aperture of the system 100 associated with the front
objective lens system 124 is spatially and spectrally divided by
the combination of the array of optical filters 130 and the array
of reimaging lenses 128. In various embodiments, the combination of
the array of optical filters 130 and the array of reimaging lenses
128 can be considered to form a spectrally divided pupil that is
disposed forward of the optical detector array 136. The spatial and
spectral division of the aperture into distinct aperture portions
forms a plurality of optical channels 120 along which light
propagates. In various embodiments, the array 128 of re-imaging
lenses 128a and the array of spectral filters 130 which
respectively correspond to the distinct optical channels 120. The
plurality of optical channels 120 can be spatially and/or
spectrally distinct. The plurality of optical channels 120 can be
formed in the object space and/or image space. In one
implementation, the distinct channels 120 may include optical
channels that are separated angularly in space. The array of
spectral filters 130 may additionally include a filter-holding
aperture mask (comprising, for example, IR light-blocking materials
such as ceramic, metal, or plastic). Light from the object 110 (for
example a cloud of gas), the optical properties of which in the IR
are described by a unique absorption, reflection and/or emission
spectrum, is received by the aperture of the system 100. This light
propagates through each of the plurality of optical channels 120
and is further imaged onto the optical detector array 136. In
various implementations, the detector array 136 can include at
least one FPA. In various embodiments, each of the re-imaging
lenses 128a can be spatially aligned with a
respectively-corresponding spectral region. In the illustrated
implementation, each filter element from the array of spectral
filters 130 corresponds to a different spectral region. Each
re-imaging lens 128a and the corresponding filter element of the
array of spectral filter 130 can coincide with (or form) a portion
of the divided aperture and therefore with
respectively-corresponding spatial channel 120. Accordingly, in
various embodiment an imaging lens 128a and a corresponding
spectral filter can be disposed in the optical path of one of the
plurality of optical channels 120. Radiation from the object 110
propagating through each of the plurality of optical channels 120
travels along the optical path of each re-imaging lens 128a and the
corresponding filter element of the array of spectral filter 130
and is incident on the detector array (e.g., FPA component) 136 to
form a single image (e.g., sub-image) of the object 110. The image
formed by the detector array 136 generally includes a plurality of
sub-images formed by each of the optical channels 120. Each of the
plurality of sub-images can provide different spatial and spectral
information of the object 110. The different spatial information
results from some parallax because of the different spatial
locations of the smaller apertures of the divided aperture. In
various embodiments, adjacent sub-images can be characterized by
close or substantially equal spectral signatures. The detector
array (e.g., FPA component) 136 is further operably connected with
a processor 150 (not shown). The processor 150 can be programmed to
aggregate the data acquired with the system 100 into a spectral
data cube. The data cube represents, in spatial (x, y) and spectral
(.lamda.) coordinates, an overall spectral image of the object 110
within the spectral region defined by the combination of the filter
elements in the array of spectral filters 130. Additionally, in
various embodiments, the processor or processing electronics 150
may be programmed to determine the unique absorption characteristic
of the object 110. Also, the processor/processing electronics 150
can, alternatively or in addition, map the overall image data cube
into a cube of data representing, for example, spatial distribution
of concentrations, c, of targeted chemical components within the
field of view associated with the object 110.
[0271] Various implementations of the embodiment 100 can include an
optional movable temperature-controlled reference source 160
including, for example, a shutter system comprising one or more
reference shutters maintained at different temperatures. The
reference source 160 can include a heater, a cooler or a
temperature-controlled element configured to maintain the reference
source 160 at a desired temperature. For example, in various
implementations, the embodiment 100 can include two reference
shutters maintained at different temperatures. The reference source
160 is removably and, in one implementation, periodically inserted
into an optical path of light traversing the system 100 from the
object 110 to the detector array (e.g., FPA component) 136 along at
least one of the channels 120. The removable reference source 160
thus can block such optical path. Moreover, this reference source
160 can provide a reference IR spectrum to recalibrate various
components including the detector array 136 of the system 100 in
real time. The configuration of the movable reference source 160 is
further discussed below.
[0272] In the embodiment 100, the front objective lens system 124
is shown to include a single front objective lens positioned to
establish a common field-of-view (FOV) for the reimaging lenses
128a and to define an aperture stop for the whole system. In this
specific case, the aperture stop substantially spatially coincides
with and/or is about the same size as or slightly larger than the
plurality of smaller limiting apertures corresponding to different
optical channels 120. As a result, the positions for spectral
filters of the different optical channels 120 coincide with the
position of the aperture stop of the whole system, which in this
example is shown as a surface between the lens system 124 and the
array 128 of the reimaging lenses 128a. In various implementations,
the lens system 124 can be an objective lens 124. However, the
objective lens 124 is optional and various embodiments of the
system 100 need not include the objective lens 124. In various
embodiments, the objective lens 124 can slightly shift the images
obtained by the different detectors in the array 136 spatially
along a direction perpendicular to optical axis of the lens 124,
thus the functionality of the system 100 is not necessarily
compromised when the objective lens 124 is not included. Generally,
however, the field apertures corresponding to different optical
channels may be located in the same or different planes. These
field apertures may be defined by the aperture of the reimaging
lens 128a and/or filters in the divided aperture 130 in certain
implementations. In one implementation, the field apertures
corresponding to different optical channels can be located in
different planes and the different planes can be optical conjugates
of one another. Similarly, while all of the filter elements in the
array of spectral filters 130 of the embodiment 100 are shown to
lie in one plane, generally different filter elements of the array
of spectral filter 130 can be disposed in different planes. For
example, different filter elements of the array of spectral filters
130 can be disposed in different planes that are optically
conjugate to one another. However, in other embodiments, the
different filter elements can be disposed in non-conjugate
planes.
[0273] In contrast to the embodiment 100, the front objective lens
124 need not be a single optical element, but instead can include a
plurality of lenses 224 as shown in an embodiment 200 of the DAISI
imaging system in FIG. 2. These lenses 224 are configured to divide
an incoming optical wavefront from the object 110. For example, the
array of front objective lenses 224 can be disposed so as to
receive an IR wavefront emitted by the object that is directed
toward the DAISI system. The plurality of front objective lenses
224 divide the wavefront spatially into non-overlapping sections.
FIG. 2 shows three objective lenses 224 in a front optical portion
of the optical system contributing to the spatial division of the
aperture of the system in this example. The plurality of objective
lenses 224, however, can be configured as a two-dimensional (2D)
array of lenses. FIG. 2 presents a general view of the imaging
system 200 and the resultant field of view of the imaging system
200. An exploded view 202 of the imaging system 200 is also
depicted in greater detail in a figure inset of FIG. 2. As
illustrated in the detailed view 202, the embodiment of the imaging
system 200 includes a field reference 204 at the front end of the
system. The field reference 204 can be used to truncate the field
of view. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 has an operational
advantage over embodiment 100 of FIG. 1 in that the overall size
and/or weight and/or cost of manufacture of the embodiment 200 can
be greatly reduced because the objective lens is smaller. Each pair
of the lenses in the array 224 and the array 128 is associated with
a field of view (FOV). Each pair of lenses in the array 224 and the
array 128 receives light from the object from a different angle.
Accordingly, the FOV of the different pairs of lenses in the array
224 and the array 128 do not completely overlap as a result of
parallax. As the distance between the imaging system 200 (portion
202) and the object 110 increases, the overlapping region 230
between the FOVs of the individual lenses 224 increases while the
amount of parallax 228 remains approximately the same, thereby
reducing its effect on the system 200. When the ratio of the
parallax-to-object-distance is substantially equal to the
pixel-size-to-system-focal-length ratio then the parallax effect
may be considered to be negligible and, for practical purposes, no
longer distinguishable. While the lenses 224 are shown to be
disposed substantially in the same plane, optionally different
objective lenses in the array of front objective lenses 224 can be
disposed in more than one plane. For example, some of the
individual lenses 224 can be displaced with respect to some other
individual lenses 224 along the axis 226 (not shown) and/or have
different focal lengths as compared to some other lenses 224. As
discussed below, the field reference 204 can be useful in
calibrating the multiple detectors 236.
[0274] In one implementation, the front objective lens system such
as the array of lenses 224 is configured as an array of lenses
integrated or molded in association with a monolithic substrate.
Such an arrangement can reduce the costs and complexity otherwise
accompanying the optical adjustment of individual lenses within the
system. An individual lens 224 can optionally include a lens with
varying magnification. As one example, a pair of thin and large
diameter Alvarez plates can be used in at least a portion of the
front objective lens system. Without any loss of generality, the
Alvarez plates can produce a change in focal length when translated
orthogonally with respect to the optical beam.
[0275] In further reference to FIG. 1, the detector array 136
(e.g., FPA component) configured to receive the optical data
representing spectral signature(s) of the imaged object 110 can be
configured as a single imaging array (e.g., FPA) 136. This single
array may be adapted to acquire more than one image (formed by more
than one optical channel 120) simultaneously. Alternatively, the
detector array 136 may include a FPA unit. In various
implementations, the FPA unit can include a plurality of optical
FPAs. At least one of these plurality of FPAs can be configured to
acquire more than one spectrally distinct image of the imaged
object. For example, as shown in the embodiment 200 of FIG. 2, in
various embodiments, the number of FPAs included in the FPA unit
may correspond to the number of the front objective lenses 224. In
the embodiment 200 of FIG. 2, for example, three FPAs 236 are
provided corresponding to the three objective lenses 224. In one
implementation of the system, the FPA unit can include an array of
microbolometers. The use of multiple microbolometers advantageously
allows for an inexpensive way to increase the total number of
detection elements (i.e. pixels) for recording of the
three-dimensional data cube in a single acquisition event (i.e. one
snapshot). In various embodiments, an array of microbolometers more
efficiently utilizes the detector pixels of the array of FPAs
(e.g., each FPA) as the number of unused pixels is reduced,
minimized and/or eliminated between the images that may exist when
using a single microbolometer.
[0276] FIG. 3A illustrates schematically an embodiment 300 of the
imaging system in which the number of the front objective lenses
324a in the lens array 324, the number of re-imaging lenses 128a in
the lens array 128, and the number of FPAs 336 are the same. So
configured, each combination of respectively corresponding front
objective lens 324, re-imaging lens 128a, and FPAs 336 constitutes
an individual imaging channel. Such a channel is associated with
acquisition of the IR light transmitted from the object 110 through
an individual filter element of the array of optical filters 130. A
field reference 338 of the system 300 is configured to have a
uniform temperature across its surface and be characterized by a
predetermined spectral curve of radiation emanating therefrom. In
various implementations, the field reference 338 can be used as a
calibration target to assist in calibrating or maintaining
calibration of the FPA. Accordingly, in various implementations,
the field reference 338 is used for dynamically adjusting the data
output from each FPA 336 after acquisition of light from the object
110. This dynamic calibration process helps provide that output of
the different (e.g., most, or each of the) FPA 336 represents
correct acquired data, with respect to the other FPAs 336 for
analysis, as discussed below in more detail.
[0277] FIG. 3B illustrates the plan view perpendicular to the axis
226 of an embodiment 300 of the imaging system illustrated in FIG.
3A. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the optical components
(e.g., objective lenses 324a, filter elements of the array of
spectral filters 130, re-imaging lenses 128a and FPA units 336) are
arranged as a 4.times.3 array. In one implementation, the 4.times.3
array 340 of optical components (lenses 324a, 128a; detector
elements 336) is used behind the temperature controlled reference
target 160. The field reference aperture 338 can be adapted to
obscure and/or block a peripheral portion of the bundle of light
propagating from the object 110 towards the FPA units 336. As a
result, the field reference 338 obscures and/or blocks the border
or peripheral portion(s) of the images of the object 110 formed on
the FPA elements located along the perimeter 346 of the detector
system. Generally, two elements of the FPA unit will produce
substantially equal values of digital counts when they are used to
observe the same portion of the scene in the same spectral region
using the same optical train. If any of these input parameters (for
example, scene to be observed, spectral content of light from the
scene, or optical elements delivering light from the scene to the
two detector elements) differ, the counts associated with the
elements of the FPA unit will differ as well. Accordingly, and as
an example, in a case when the two FPAs of the FPA unit 336 (such
as those denoted as #6 and #7 in FIG. 3B) remain substantially
un-obscured by the field reference 338, the outputs from these FPAs
can be dynamically adjusted to the output from one of the FPAs
located along perimeter 346 (such as, for example, the FPA element
#2 or FPA element #11) that processes light having similar spectral
characteristics.
III. EXAMPLES OF A MOBILE DAISI SYSTEM
[0278] The DAISI systems disclosed herein can be configured to be
installed at a suitable location on a long-term basis, according to
some embodiments. For example, the DAISI systems disclosed in
Section II above can be affixed to a fixture mounted to the ground
at a location to continuously or periodically monitor the presence
of gases or chemicals at the location. In some embodiments, for
example, the DAISI systems can be attached to a pole, post, or any
suitable fixture at the location to be monitored. In such
arrangements, the DAISI system can continuously or periodically
capture multispectral, multiplexed image data of the scene, and an
on-board or remote computing unit can process the captured image
data to identify or characterize gases or chemicals at the
location. A communications module can communicate data relating to
the identified gases or chemicals to any suitable external system,
such as a central computing server, etc. For such long-term
installations of the DAISI system, the installation site may
include a power source (e.g., electrical transmission lines
connected to a junction box at the site) and network communications
equipment (e.g., network wiring, routers, etc.) to provide network
communication between the DAISI system and the external
systems.
[0279] It can be advantageous to provide a mobile DAISI system
configured to be worn or carried by a user. For example, it may be
unsuitable or undesirable to install a DAISI system at some
locations on a long-term basis. As an example, some oil well sites
may not have sufficient infrastructure, such as power sources or
network communication equipment, to support the DAISI system. In
addition, it can be challenging to move the DAISI system from site
to site to monitor different locations. For example, installing and
removing the DAISI system from a site for transport may involve
substantial effort and time for the user when the system is
connected to infrastructure at the site to be monitored.
Accordingly, it can be desirable to provide a DAISI system that can
be used independently of the facilities or infrastructure at the
site to be monitored. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to
implement the DAISI system in a form factor and with a weight that
can be carried or worn by a user. For example, a mobile DAISI
system can enable the user to easily transport the system from
site-to-site, while monitoring the presence of gases or chemicals
in real-time.
[0280] It should be appreciated that each of the systems disclosed
herein can be used to monitor potential gas leaks in any suitable
installation site, including, without limitation, drilling rigs,
refineries, pipelines, transportations systems, ships or other
vessels (such as off-shore oil rigs, trains, tanker trucks,
petro-chemical plants, chemical plants, etc. In addition, each of
the embodiments and aspects disclosed and illustrated herein such
as above, e.g., with respect to FIGS. 1-3B, can be used in
combination with each of the embodiments disclosed and illustrated
herein with respect to FIGS. 4A-6C.
[0281] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile
infrared imaging system 1000 (e.g., a mobile or portable DAISI
system) configured to be carried or worn by a human user 1275. The
user 1275 may wear a hat or helmet 1200 when he travels to a site
to be monitored, such as an oil well site, a refinery, etc. The
system 1000 shown in FIG. 4A is attached to the helmet 1200 by way
of a support 1204 that securely mounts the system 1000 to the
helmet 1200. For example, the support 1204 can comprise a fastener,
a strap, or any other suitable structure. Advantageously, mounting
the system 1000 to the helmet 1200 can enable the user 1275 to
capture images within the system's field of view (FOV) by turning
his head to face a particular location to be monitored. For
example, the user 1275 can walk through the site and can capture
video images of each portion of the site, e.g., various structures
that may be susceptible to gas or chemical leaks, such as valves,
fittings, etc. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the user
1275 can image each portion of the site by facing the area to be
imaged and ensuring that the system 1000 is activated. In addition,
by mounting the system 1000 to the user's helmet 1200, the user
1275 may use his hands for other tasks while the system 1000 images
the site. Although the system 1000 of FIG. 4A is shown as being
mounted to the user's helmet 1200, it should be appreciated that
the system 1000 can instead be worn on other parts of the user's
clothing or can be carried by the user, e.g., in a bag, case, or
other suitable container. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a wind
sensor can be provided to the user, e.g., on the user's clothing
and/or on or near the system 1000. The wind sensor can be used to
estimate wind conditions at the installation site, which can be
used to improve the detection of gas leaks. In other embodiments,
the system 1000 can be coupled to or formed with a housing that
defines a "gun"-like structure which can be aimed or pointed by the
user in a particular direction.
[0282] As explained herein, a gas cloud 1202 emitted from a
structure at the site can be imaged by pointing the system 1000
towards the gas cloud 1202 and capturing an image of the gas cloud
1202 when the cloud 1202 is within the FOV of the system 1000.
Unlike other systems, the system 1000 can capture multispectral
image data of a single scene over a range of IR wavelengths with a
single snapshot, as explained in further detail herein. The single
snapshot can be captured in a short timeframe, e.g., less than
about 3 seconds, less than about 2 seconds, or less than about 1.5
seconds (for example, in about 1 second, in some embodiments). The
single snapshot can be captured in greater than about 5
milliseconds, greater than about 0.2 seconds, or greater than about
0.5 seconds. The captured image data can be processed on board the
system 1000 by a processing unit, as explained in further detail
herein. For example, the processing unit can process the image data
from the different optical channels and can compare the captured
spectral information with a database of known chemicals to identify
and/or characterize the gases that are included in the gas cloud
1202.
[0283] A communications module on board the system 1000 can
transmit information relating to the identified gases or chemicals
to any suitable external device. For example, the communications
module can wirelessly communicate (e.g., by Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.)
the information to a suitable mobile computing device, such as an
electronic eyewear apparatus 1201, a tablet computing device 1212,
a mobile smartphone, a laptop or notebook computer 1203, or any
other suitable mobile computing device. In some embodiments, if a
gas cloud is detected, the system 1000 can warn the user by way of
sending a signal to the mobile device (e.g., tablet computing
device 1212 or a mobile smartphone. The mobile device can emit an
audible ring and/or can vibrate to notify the user of a potential
gas leak. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the electronic eyewear
apparatus 1201 can include a user interface comprising a display
that the user 1275 can view in real-time as he visits the site. In
some embodiments, the electronic eyewear apparatus 1201 comprises
eyewear that includes a display. The electronics eyewear apparatus
1201 can be further configured to present images from this display
to the wearer. The electronics eyewear apparatus 1201 may for
example include projection optics that projects the image into the
eye. The electronic eyewear apparatus 1201 may comprise heads up
display optics the presents the image on the lens portion(s) of the
eyewear so that the wearer can view the image and also see through
the eyewear and peer at objects in the distance. Other
configurations are possible. In some arrangements, the eyewear
apparatus 1201 can comprise a Google Glass device, sold by Google,
Inc., of Mountain View, Calif.
[0284] The processing unit can configure the processed image data
such that the types of identified gases are displayed to the user
1275 on the display of the eyewear apparatus 1201. For example, in
some embodiments, color-coded data may represent different types of
gases or concentrations of a particular gas, and may be overlaid on
a visible light image of the scene. For example, the color-coded
data and image of the gas cloud can be seen by the user on the
electronic eyewear apparatus 1201. In various embodiments, text
data and statistics about the composition of the gas cloud 1202 may
also be displayed to the user 1275. Thus, the user 1275 can walk
the site and can view the different types of gases in the gas cloud
1202 substantially in real-time. Advantageously, such real-time
display of the composition of the gas cloud 1202 can enable the
user 1275 to quickly report urgent events, such as the leakage of a
toxic gas or chemical. In some embodiments, detection of a toxic
leak can trigger an alarm, which may cause emergency personnel to
help evacuate the site and/or fix the leak.
[0285] In some embodiments, the processed image data can be
transmitted from the system 1000 to the tablet computing device
1212, laptop computer 1203, and/or smartphone. The user 1275 can
interact with the table computing device 1212 or laptop computer
1203 to conduct additional analysis of the imaged and processed gas
cloud 1202. Furthermore, information about the gas cloud (including
the processed data and/or the raw image data) may also be
transmitted to a central server for centralized collection,
processing, and analysis. In various arrangements, a global
positioning system (GPS) module can also be installed on board the
system 1000 and/or on the mobile computing device (such as a tablet
computing device, smartphone, etc.). The GPS module can identify
the coordinates of the user 1275 when a particular image is
captured. The location data for the captured image data can be
stored on the central server for further analysis.
[0286] Thus, the system 1000 shown in FIG. 4A can enable the user
1275 to image multiple locations of a particular site to be
monitored, such as an oil well site. Advantageously, the optical
components, the processing components, and the communications
components of the system 1000 can be integrated within a relatively
small housing that can be carried or worn by the user 1275. For
example, in various embodiments, the system 1000 does not include
complex mechanical components for movement, such as gimbals,
actuators, motors, etc. Without such components, the size of the
system 1000 can be reduced relative to other systems.
[0287] Unlike other systems, in which the system components are
bulky or are assembled over a large form factor, the mobile system
1000 can be sized and shaped in such a manner so as to be easily
moved and manipulated when the user 1275 moves about the site.
Indeed, it can be very challenging to integrate the various system
components in a small form-factor. Advantageously, the systems 1000
can be worn or carried by a human user. For example, the components
of the system 1000 can be contained together in a data acquisition
and processing module 1020, which may include a housing to support
the system components. The components of the system 1000 (including
the optical or imaging components, the focal plane array, the
on-board processing electronics, and the communications components)
may be packaged or assembled in the data acquisition and processing
module 1020 and may occupy a volume less than about 300 cubic
inches, less than about 200 cubic inches, or less than about 100
cubic inches. In various embodiments, the components of the system
1000 (including the optical or imaging components, the focal plane
array, the on-board processing electronics, and the communications
components) may be packaged or assembled in the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 and may occupy a volume greater than
about 2 cubic inches, or greater than about 16 cubic inches.
[0288] The data acquisition and processing module 1020 (with the
system components mounted therein or thereon) may be sized and
shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary having dimensions
X.times.Y.times.Z. For example, the data acquisition and processing
module 1020, including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and
on board processing electronics, may be included in a package that
is sized and shaped to fit within the box-shaped boundary having
dimensions X.times.Y.times.Z. This package may also contain a power
supply, such as a battery and/or solar module. In some embodiments,
the data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the
imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped
boundary smaller than 8 inches.times.6 inches.times.6 inches. In
some embodiments, the data acquisition and processing module 1020
(including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a
box-shaped boundary smaller than 7 inches.times.5 inches.times.5
inches, e.g., a box-shaped boundary small than 7 inches.times.3
inches.times.3 inches. In some embodiments, the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal
plane array, and on board processing electronics may) can be sized
and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary smaller than 6
inches.times.4 inches.times.4 inches. In some embodiments, the data
acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary smaller
than 2 inches.times.2 inches.times.6 inches. In some embodiments,
the data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the
imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped
boundary having dimensions larger than 4 inches.times.2
inches.times.2 inches. In some embodiments, the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal
plane array, and on board processing electronics may) can be sized
and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary having dimensions
larger than 3 inches.times.3 inches.times.7 inches. In some
embodiments, the data acquisition and processing module 1020
(including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a
box-shaped boundary having dimensions larger than 2 inches.times.1
inches.times.1 inches. The data acquisition and processing module
1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can have dimensions less than 2
inches.times.2 inches.times.6 inches. The data acquisition and
processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane
array, and on board processing electronics may) can have dimensions
greater than 1 inches.times.1 inches.times.3 inches. The data
acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can have dimensions greater than 2 inches.times.2 inches.times.4
inches, said data acquisition and processing module has dimensions
less than 6 inches.times.3 inches.times.3 inches. The data
acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can have dimensions less than 4 inches.times.3 inches.times.3
inches. The data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including
the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can have dimensions less than 3 inches.times.2
inches.times.2 inches. The data acquisition and processing module
1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can have dimensions greater than 2
inches.times.1 inches.times.1 inches. The data acquisition and
processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane
array, and on board processing electronics may) can have dimensions
greater than 1 inches.times.0.5 inch.times.0.5 inch. The data
acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can have a volume less than 30 cubic inches. The data acquisition
and processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal
plane array, and on board processing electronics may) can have a
volume less than 20 cubic inches. The data acquisition and
processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane
array, and on board processing electronics may) can have a volume
less than 15 cubic inches. The data acquisition and processing
module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and
on board processing electronics may) can have a volume less than 10
cubic inches. The data acquisition and processing module 1020
(including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can have a volume more than 1 cubic
inches. The data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including
the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can have a volume more than 4 cubic inches. The
data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can have a volume more 5 cubic inches. The data acquisition and
processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane
array, and on board processing electronics may) can have a volume
more 10 cubic inches. This package may also contain a power supply,
including a battery and/or solar module, a communications module,
or both and fit into the above-referenced dimensions. It should be
appreciated that the dimensions disclosed herein may not correspond
to the directions shown in FIG. 4A with respect to X, Y, and Z.
[0289] Moreover, the system 1000 can have a mass and weight
sufficiently small so as to enable the user 1275 to easily carry or
wear the data acquisition and processing module 1020 at the site.
Thus, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A can be sized and shaped and
configured to have a mass that enables a human user to easily and
effectively manipulate the system 1000.
[0290] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation
site (e.g., an oil well site, etc.) that can be monitored by
multiple infrared imaging systems 1000 (e.g., a DAISI system). For
example, as shown in FIG. 4B, an imaging system 1000A can be
mounted to a pole 1309 or other stationary structure at the site.
An imaging system 1000B can be worn or carried by multiple users
1275, an imaging system 1000C can be mounted on a truck 1500,
and/or an imaging system 1000D can be mounted on an aerial platform
1501, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or a piloted
airplane. In some arrangements, the UAV can comprise an airplane, a
helicopter (such as a quad helicopter), etc. The embodiments
disclosed herein can utilize the image data captured by any
combination of the systems 1000A-1000D at the installation site to
image the entire installation site in an efficient manner Indeed,
each installation site can include any suitable number and type of
system 1000A-1000D. For example, each installation site can include
greater than two systems 1000A-1000D, greater than five systems
1000A-1000D, greater than ten systems 1000A-1000D, greater than
twenty systems 1000A-1000D. Each installation site may include less
than about 100 systems 1000A-1000D.
[0291] For example, the central server can track the real-time
locations of each imaging system 1000A-1000D based on the GPS
coordinates of the particular system or on pre-determined knowledge
about the system's stationary location. The distributed nature of
the imaging systems 1000A-1000D can provide rich information to the
central server about the types and locations of gas leaks or other
problems throughout multiple installation sites. Although FIG. 4B
illustrates a stationary system 1000A mounted to a fixture, a
portable system 1000B to be worn or carried by a human, a
truck-based system 1000C, and an aerial-based system 1000D, it
should be appreciated that other types of systems may be suitable.
For example, in some embodiments, a robotic vehicle or a walking
robot can be used as a platform for the systems 1000 disclosed
herein. In various embodiments, a floating platform (such as a
boat) can be used as a platform for the systems 1000 disclosed
herein. It should also be appreciated that the systems disclosed
herein can utilize any combination of the platforms (e.g.,
stationary fixtures such as a pole, human user(s), truck(s) or
other vehicle, aerial platform(s), floating platform(s), robotic
platform(s), etc.) to support the systems 1000.
[0292] The systems 1000 shown in FIG. 4B can comprise a mobile
DAISI system, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4A. In other
embodiments, the systems 1000 can comprise a larger DAISI system
configured for use on a relatively long-term basis. For example,
the stationary imaging system 1000A shown in FIG. 4B can be
installed on a pole 1309 or other suitable structure for monitoring
a storage tank 1301. A solar panel 1300 can be provided at or near
the system 1000 to help provide power to the system 1000. An
antenna 1303 can electrically couple to the system and can provide
wireless communication between the system 1000 and any other
external entity, such as a central server, for storing and/or
processing the data captured by the system 1000.
[0293] A DAISI system such as system 1000 may, if desired, be
coupled to a unit that adjusts the pan, tilt, rotation, height, or
other position of the system 1000. As an example, system 1000 may
be mounted to a pan and tilt unit. The pan and tilt unit may be
able to rotate the front of system 1000 left and right (e.g., yaw
system 1000 left and right) and able to rotate the front of system
1000 up and down (e.g., pitch system 1000 up and down), thereby
enabling system 1000 to focus on a particular portion of the
surrounding environment and, when desired, to scan different areas
of the surrounding environment (i.e., to move through a desired
scan path). The pan and tilt unit (or any other unit that adjusts
the position of system 1000 may include motors, actuators, or other
suitable mechanisms to drive movements of system 1000. The
operation of a pan and tilt unit (or any other unit that adjusts
the position of system 1000) may be controlled by system 1000, by
the pan and tilt unit, by a remote system, by a control system
capable of controlling one or more systems 1000 and/or
corresponding pan and tilt units, or by any suitable and desired
control system.
[0294] The stationary infrared imaging system 1000A can be
programmed to continuously or periodically monitor the site. If a
gas cloud 1302 escapes from the storage tank 1301, such as by
leaking from a broken valve, then the system 1000A can capture a
multispectral, snapshot image or series of images (e.g., a video
stream) of the gas cloud 1302. As with the embodiment of FIG. 4A,
the imaging system 1000A can include imaging, processing, and
communications components on board the system 1000A to identify and
characterize the types of gases in the cloud 1302 and to transmit
the processed data to the central server, e.g., by way of the
antenna 1303.
[0295] The imaging systems 1000B worn or carried by the multiple
users 1275 can advantageously capture and process multispectral
image data of the portions of the installation site that each user
1275 visits. It should be appreciated that the different users 1275
may work in or travel through different portions of the
installation site (and also to a number of installation sites) over
a period of time. When activated, the imaging systems 1000B worn or
carried by the users 1275 can continuously or periodically capture
multispectral image data of the different locations at the
installation site(s) to which the user 1275 travels. As explained
herein, the system 1000B can transmit the image data and the
location at which the image was captured to the central server. If
the system 1000B or the central server detects a problem (such as a
gas leak), then the central server can associate that leak with a
particular location and time.
[0296] Furthermore, because the central server can receive image
data and location data from multiple users at different locations
and viewing from different perspectives, the central server can
create an organization-wide mapping of gas leaks that include,
e.g., the locations of gas leaks in any of multiple installation
sites, the type and concentrations and expanse or extent of each
gas leaked, the particular user 1275 that captured the image data,
and the time at which the image was taken. Thus, each user 1275
that carries or wears a portable imaging system 1000B can
contribute information to the central server that, when aggregated
by the central server, provides rich details on the status of any
gas leaks at any installation sites across the organization.
[0297] The truck-mounted imaging system 1000C can be mounted to a
truck or other type of vehicle (such as a car, van, all-terrain
vehicle, etc.). As shown in FIG. 4B, the imaging system 1000C can
be connected to an end of an extendable pole or extension member
mounted to the truck 1500. The system 1000C can be raised and
lowered by a control system to enable the system 1000C to image a
wide area of the installation site. In some embodiments, actuators
can be provided to change the angular orientation of the system
1000C, e.g., its pitch and yaw. A vibration isolation or reduction
mechanism can also be provided to reduce vibrations, which may
disturb the imaging process. The system 1000C can be battery
powered and/or can be powered by the truck; in some embodiments, a
generator can be used to supply power to the system 1000C. A user
can drive the truck 1500 throughout the installation site to image
various portions of the site to detect leaks. In addition, the user
can drive the truck 1500 to other installation sites to detect gas
leaks. As explained herein, the location of the truck 1500 can be
communicated to the central server and the location of the truck
1500 can be associated with each captured image. The truck 1500 may
include GPS electronics to assist in tracking the location of the
truck 1500 and/or system 1000C over time as the user drives from
place to place. Similarly, the aerial platform 1501 (such as an
unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV) can support the imaging system
1000D. The aerial platform 1501 can be piloted (either remotely or
non-remotely) to numerous installation sites to capture
multispectral image data to detect gas clouds.
[0298] Thus, the systems 1000A-1000D can provide extensive data
regarding the existence of leaks at numerous installations across
an organization. Monitoring numerous cameras simultaneously or
concurrently across an organization, site, region, or the entire
country can be enabled at least in part by providing wireless (or
wired) communication between the systems 1000A-1000D and one or
more central servers. Advantageously, the collection of image data
from multiple sources and multiple platforms can enable the
organization to create a real-time mapping of potential gas leaks,
the types and amounts of gases being leaks, the locations of the
leaks, and the time the image data of the leak was captured. In
some arrangements, the aggregation of data about a site can improve
the safety of installation sites. For example, if a gas leak is
detected at a particular installation, the embodiments disclosed
herein can alert the appropriate personnel, who can begin safety
and/or evacuation procedures. Moreover, the aggregation of data
across an organization (such as an oil service company) can provide
site-wide, region-wide, and/or company-wide metrics for performance
For example, a given facility can monitor its total emissions over
time and use the resulting data to help determine the facility's
overall performance A given region (such as a metropolitan area, a
state, etc.) can monitor trends in emissions over time, providing a
value on which to base decisions. Likewise, a company can look at
the emissions performance at all of its facilities and can make
decisions about whether some facilities should make new investments
to improve performance, and/or whether the entire company should
make various improvements. The mobile systems 1000 disclosed herein
can thus provide a ubiquitous monitoring system for decision
making. In addition, the systems 1000 disclosed herein can be used
in a feedback control process to improve various manufacturing
procedures based on the gases detected by the system(s) 1000.
Accordingly, a control module may be provided to adjust the
manufacturing procedure and/or parameters according to the gases
measured by the system 1000.
[0299] The embodiments of the mobile infrared imaging system 1000
disclosed herein provide various advantages over other systems. As
explained above, aggregation of data about a site and its potential
gas leaks can provide an organization- or system-wide mapping of
potential problems. Furthermore, automatic detection of gas leaks
(and identification of the gases in the gas cloud) can simplify
operation of the system 1000 and can reduce the risk of user errors
in attempting to detect or identify gas clouds manually. Moreover,
the small size of the systems 1000 disclosed herein are more easily
carried or worn by the user than other systems. In addition, the
systems 1000 disclosed herein can overlay the identified gas clouds
on a visible image of the scene and can color code the gas cloud
according to, e.g., type of gas, concentration, etc.
[0300] FIG. 5 is a schematic system block diagram showing a mobile
infrared imaging system 1000 (e.g., a mobile DAISI system),
according to one embodiment. The imaging system 1000 can include a
data acquisition and processing module 1020 configured to be worn
or carried by a person. The data acquisition and processing module
1020 can include, contain, or house an optical system 1015, a
processing unit 1021, a power supply 1026, a communication module
1025, and GPS module 1025. In other embodiments, the data
acquisition and processing module 1020 can be configured to be
mounted to a structure at the site to be monitored, such as a post.
The power unit 1026 can be provided on board the system 1000. The
power unit 1026 can be configured to provide power to the various
system components, such as the optical system 1015, the processing
unit 1021, the communication module 1024, and/or the GPS module
1025. In some embodiments, the power unit 1026 can comprise one or
more batteries (which may be rechargeable) to power the system
components. In some embodiments, the power unit 1026 can include a
solar power system including one or more solar panels for powering
the system by sunlight. In some embodiments, the power unit 1026
can include various power electronics circuits for converting AC
power supplied by standard power transmission lines to DC power for
powering the system components. Other types of power supply may be
suitable for the power unit 1026.
[0301] The system 1000 can include an optical system 1015
configured to capture multispectral image data in a single
snapshot, as explained herein. For example, the optical system 1015
can include an optical focal plane array (FPA) unit and components
that define at least two optical channels that are spatially and
spectrally different from one another. The two optical channels can
be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical
system towards the optical FPA. The multiple channels can be used
to multiplex different spectral images of the same scene and to
image the different spectral images on the FPA unit.
[0302] The processing unit 1021 can also be provided on board the
data acquisition and processing module 1020. The processing unit
1021 can include a processor 1023 and a memory 1022. The processor
1023 can be in operable cooperation with the memory 1022, which can
contain a computer-readable code that, when loaded onto the
processor 1023, enables the processor 1023 to acquire multispectral
optical data representing a target species of gas or chemical from
IR radiation received at the optical FPA unit of the optical system
1015. The memory 1022 can be any suitable type of memory (such as a
non-transitory computer-readable medium) that stores data captured
by the optical system 1015 and/or processed by the processing unit
1021. The memory 1022 can also store the software that is executed
on the processor 1023. The processor 1023 can be configured to
execute software instructions that process the multispectral image
data captured by the optical system 1015. For example, the
processor 1023 can analyze the different images detected by the FPA
and can compare the captured data with known signatures of various
types of gases or chemicals. Based on the analysis of the captured
image data, the processor can be programmed to determine the types
and concentrations of gases in a gas cloud. Further, as explained
herein, the processor 1023 can analyze calibration data provided by
the optical system 1015 to improve the accuracy of the
measurements.
[0303] Advantageously, the processor 1023 can comprise one or more
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) configured to execute methods
used in the analysis of the images captured by the optical system
1015. For example, the FPGA can include logic gates and read access
memory (RAM) blocks that are designed to quickly implement the
computations used to detect the types of gases in a gas cloud. The
small size/weight, and high performance characteristics of the FPGA
can enable on board computation and analysis within the data
acquisition and detection unit 1020 worn or carried by the user.
The use of FPGA (or similar electronics) on board the system 1000
can reduce costs associated with using an off-site central server
or larger computing device to conduct the image analysis
computations. In addition, enabling computation with one or more
FPGA devices on board the wearable system can also prevent or
reduce communication bottlenecks associated with wirelessly
transmitting large amounts of raw data from the system 1000 to a
remote server or computer, which can be used in some
embodiments.
[0304] The communication module 1024 can be configured to
communicate with at least one device physically separate from the
data acquisition and processing module 1020. For example, the
communication module 1024 can include a wireless communication
module configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one
separate device. The wireless communication module can be
configured to provide wireless communication over wireless networks
(e.g., WiFi internet networks, Bluetooth networks, etc.) and/or
over telecommunications networks (e.g., 3G networks, 4G networks,
etc.).
[0305] In some embodiments, for example, the wireless communication
module can provide data communication between the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 and a mobile device such as an
electronic eyewear apparatus, a tablet computing device, a mobile
smartphone, a laptop or notebook computer, or any other suitable
mobile computing device. As explained herein, the mobile device can
include a display on which the processed image data can be
displayed to the user. For example, the types (and/or
concentrations) of gases in a gas cloud can be illustrated on the
display, e.g., by color coding or other suitable illustration
scheme. The processed data can overlie a visible image of the scene
in some arrangements. In some embodiments, the wireless
communication module can provide data communication between the
system 1000 and an external device remote from the system 1000,
such as a central server. For example, the processed image data
and/or the raw image data may be transmitted over a
telecommunications network to the central server for storage and/or
further analysis. In some embodiments, the processed or raw image
data can be uploaded to the mobile device (e.g., notebook computer,
smartphone, tablet computing device, etc.), which can in turn
communicate the image data to the central server.
[0306] The GPS module 1025 can be configured to determine the
location of the data acquisition and processing module 1020 at a
particular time. The processing unit 1021 can store the location
data and can associate the location data with a particular image
captured by the optical system 1015 in some arrangements. The
location data associated with the captured images can be
transmitted by the communication module 1024 (or by an external
device) to a central server in some arrangements.
[0307] The optical system 1015, the processing unit 1021, the power
supply 1026, the communication module 1024, and/or the GPS module
1025 may be contained or housed in the data acquisition and
processing module 1020, which can be carried or worn by the user.
The components of the system 1000 (including the optical
components, the processing components, and the communications
components) may be packaged or assembled in the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 and may occupy a volume less than about
300 cubic inches, less than about 200 cubic inches, or less than
about 100 cubic inches. In various embodiments, the components of
the system 1000 (including the optical components, the processing
components, and the communications components) may be packaged or
assembled in the data acquisition and processing module 1020 and
may occupy a volume greater than about 2 cubic inches, or greater
than about 16 cubic inches. A power supply, including a battery
and/or solar module may also be included among the components
packaged or assembled in the data acquisition and processing module
1020 and fit into the above-referenced volumetric dimensions.
[0308] The data acquisition and processing module 1020 (with the
system components mounted therein or thereon, including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
may be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary having
dimensions X.times.Y.times.Z. For example, in some embodiments, the
data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary smaller
than 8 inches.times.6 inches.times.6 inches. In some embodiments,
the data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the
imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped
boundary smaller than 7 inches.times.5 inches.times.5 inches. In
some embodiments, the data acquisition and processing module 1020
(including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board
processing electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit within a
box-shaped boundary smaller than 6 inches.times.4 inches.times.4
inches. In some embodiments, the data acquisition and processing
module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane array, and
on board processing electronics may) can be sized and shaped to fit
within a box-shaped boundary having dimensions larger than 4 inches
by 2 inches.times.2 inches. In some embodiments, the data
acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the imaging
optics, focal plane array, and on board processing electronics may)
can be sized and shaped to fit within a box-shaped boundary having
dimensions larger than 2 inches by 1 inches.times.1 inches. A power
supply, including a battery and/or solar module, a communications
module, or both may be included in the data acquisition and
processing module 1020 and fit into the above-referenced
dimensions. It should be appreciated that the dimensions disclosed
herein may not correspond to the directions shown in FIG. 4A with
respect to X, Y, and Z. Moreover, the system 1000 can have a mass
and weight sufficiently small so as to enable the user 1275 to
easily carry or wear the data acquisition and processing module
1020 at the site.
IV. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF A MOBILE DAISI SYSTEM
[0309] Additional examples of mobile divided-aperture infrared
spectral imaging (DAISI) systems are provided in this section. For
example, the systems 1000 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C may be used with any
of the embodiments disclosed above. Beneficially, the systems 1000
disclosed herein can provide various improvements that enable a
multi-spectral, snapshot mode imaging system to be worn or carried
by a person.
[0310] As with the above-referenced embodiments, the systems 1000
of FIGS. 6A-6C can comprise an optical focal plane array (FPA) and
components that define at least two optical channels that are
spatially and spectrally different from one another. The at least
two optical channels can be positioned to transfer infrared (IR)
radiation towards the FPA. A processing unit comprising a processor
and/or processing electronics can acquire multispectral image data
representing a target species from the received IR radiation. The
optical system and the processing unit can be contained together in
a data acquisition and processing module configured to be worn or
carried by a person. In some embodiments disclosed in this section,
the imaging system may be fixed at a desired location, such as at a
petroleum refinery, an oil well site, etc.
[0311] A. System Overview
[0312] FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a system 1000,
according to various embodiments. FIG. 6B is a schematic rear
perspective view of the system 1000 shown in FIG. 6A. The system
1000 can comprise a data acquisition and processing module 1020,
which may be similar to the data acquisition and processing module
described above. For example, the data acquisition and processing
module 1020 can comprise a housing 1640 within which the optical
components of the system 1000 are housed. The system 1000 can
include an optical window 1606 and a visible light imaging system
1680. The window 1606 can be configured to transmit infrared
radiation from the object to the internal optical components within
the housing 1640. In some embodiments, the window 1606 comprises
germanium. The window 1606 and visible light imaging system 1680
may be the same as or similar to the window and visible light
system described above.
[0313] As shown in FIG. 6B, the data acquisition and processing
unit 1020 can comprise any suitable number of power and/or signal
connections to a computing device. For example, the data
acquisition and processing unit 1020 can comprise a data connector
1681 to provide data communication between the data acquisition and
processing unit 1020 and a computing device. The data acquisition
and processing unit 1020 can also comprise a power connector 1682
to provide electrical power to the data acquisition and processing
unit 1020. In some arrangements, the data acquisition and
processing unit 1020 can comprise a communication module 1024,
which can provide wireless (and/or wired) data communication with
an external computing device (such as a laptop computer, a tablet
computer, a smartphone, etc.). In addition, the data acquisition
and processing unit 1020 can comprise one or more batteries to
provide power to the system 1000.
[0314] The data acquisition and processing unit 1020 can be
configured to be worn or carried by a person. The combination of
components described herein can advantageously enable the optical
components and processing electronics to fit within a small form
factor sufficient to be worn or carried by a person. For example,
the data acquisition and processing unit 1020 can have dimensions
and a weight (or mass) selected so as to be easily worn or carried
by a human user to any suitable location, e.g., for conducting
infrared imaging and monitoring of potential gas leaks at a
petroleum installation. As shown in FIG. 6A, the data acquisition
and processing unit 1020 can be sized and shaped to fit within a
box-shaped boundary having dimensions length X.times.height
Y.times.width Z. The volume of the data acquisition and processing
unit 1020 can be in a range of 5 cubic inches to 40 cubic inches,
in a range of 9 cubic inches to 30 cubic inches, in a range of 10
cubic inches to 30 cubic inches, in a range of 10 cubic inches to
25 cubic inches, in a range of 10 cubic inches to 20 cubic inches,
or in a range of 10 cubic inches to 15 cubic inches. In some
embodiments, the volume of the data acquisition and processing unit
1020 can be in a range of 15 cubic inches to 25 cubic inches, in a
range of 17 cubic inches to 24 cubic inches, or in a range of 19
cubic inches to 23 cubic inches.
[0315] The length X can be in a range of 3 inches to 8 inches, in a
range of 3.5 inches to 6 inches, in a range of 4 inches to 6
inches, or in a range of 5 inches to 6 inches. The height Y can be
in a range of 1 inch to 5 inches, in a range of 1 inch to 3 inches,
in a range of 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches, or in a range of 2 inches
to 2.5 inches. The width Z can be in a range of 1 inch to 5 inches,
in a range of 1 inch to 3 inches, in a range of 1 inch to 2.5
inches, or in a range of 1 inch to 2 inches. For example, the width
Z can be in a range of 1.25 inches to 2 inches, in a range of 1.5
inches to 2 inches, or in a range of 1.6 inches to 1.9 inches.
[0316] The weight of the data acquisition and processing unit 1020
can be in a range of 0.5 pounds to 5 pounds, in a range of 0.5
pounds to 3 pounds, in a range of 0.75 pounds to 2.5 pounds, in a
range of 1 pound to 2.5 pounds, in a range of 1 pound to 2 pounds,
or in a range of 1.25 pounds to 1.75 pounds.
[0317] FIG. 6C is a schematic front perspective view of a system
1000 according to various embodiments. The components of the system
1000 of FIG. 6C may be the same as the components of FIGS. 6A-6B.
However, in the embodiment of FIG. 6C can comprise a housing 1640A
that is configured for use in conjunction with locations classified
in Class 1, Division 1 of the National Electrical Code (NEC),
available at necconnect.org. For example, the housing 1640A of FIG.
6C can be sufficiently sealed so as to prevent gases from entering
the housing 1640A. As another example, the housing 1640a of FIG. 6C
can be of a type generally considered to be explosion proof. The
processing electronics and other components within the data
acquisition and processing unit 1020 can be passively cooled
without requiring external airflow into the data acquisition and
processing unit 1020 from the outside environs (e.g., ambient air).
In some embodiments, the data acquisition and processing unit 1020
can be filled with a gas to cool the internal components. For
example, in some embodiments, data acquisition and processing unit
1020 and the housing 1640A can be filled with nitrogen gas. The
system 1000 shown in FIG. 6C can be fixed in a permanent location
(e.g., an oil well site or other petroleum installation) or can be
configured for mobile user (e.g., worn or carried by a user).
[0318] FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a mobile
infrared imaging system 1000. The mobile infrared imaging system
1000 can include one or more movable shutters 1503 (e.g., two
shutters) rear of the window 1506 and a lens assembly 1502 rear of
the shutter(s) 1503. A filter array 1501 can be disposed rear (or
forward) of the second lens array 1502B, and an optical focal plane
array (FPA) unit 1508 can be disposed rear of the filter array
1501. The filter array 1501 may be disposed forward of the lens
assembly 1502 (i.e., on the side of the lens assembly 1502 closest
to window 1506). The optical FPA unit 1508 can be mechanically and
electrically coupled with one or more substrates 1586, which may
comprise printed circuit board or PCB substrates. In various
embodiments, the FPA unit 1508 comprises a single FPA or detector
array. Additionally, as explained herein, the lens assembly 1502,
filter array 1501, and optical FPA unit can at least partially
define one or more optical channels that are spatially and
spectrally different. A number of the optical channels can be at
least 4, at least 5, at least 8, at least 9, at least 12, at least
13, or at least 20. In some embodiments, a number of the optical
channels is between 4 and 50.
[0319] One or more batteries 1588 can supply power to the system
1000 by way of the substrate(s) 1586. In addition, a visible light
imaging sensor 1580 can be disposed in the housing 1590 and can be
configured to provide a visible light image of the scene being
captured by the system 1000. The processed IR image data can be
overlaid upon the visible light image. In various embodiments the
visible light imaging sensor 1580 can be used for reduction of
scene-motion-induced detection errors, for example, to detect a
moving object that enters the field of view (such as an animal or
person) and would interfere with the data being collected.
[0320] As explained herein, the movable shutter(s) 1503 can be
configured to provide spectral-radiometric calibration for the
system 1000. The shutter(s) 1503 can be configured to move in and
out of the field of view of the lens assembly 1502 periodically,
e.g., in a time period in a range of about 1 minute to about 15
minutes, or more particularly, in a range of about 3 minutes to
about 7 minutes, e.g., about 5 minutes. Although one shutter 1503
is illustrated in FIG. 7, it should be appreciated that two or more
shutters may be provided. The shutter(s) 1503 can be used in static
calibration procedures to provide the system with absolute
temperature values. In some embodiments, only static calibration is
performed, e.g., no dynamic calibration is performed. In some
embodiments, both static and dynamic calibration procedures are
performed.
[0321] The lens assembly 1502 can include a first lens array 1502A
and a second lens array 1502B. In some embodiments, the lens
assembly 1502 can comprise an array of two-part lenses denoted by
the first and second arrays 1502A, 1502B. In some embodiments, the
lens assembly 1502 can comprise an array of two separate lenses
denoted by the first and second arrays 1502A, 1502B. Each of the
lens arrays 1502A, 1502B can comprise a 4.times.3 array of lenses,
each of which may correspond to a particular detector region in the
FPA unit 1508 and can define an optical channel of the system 1000.
The lenses used in the first lens array 1502A may be different from
the lenses used in the second lens array 1502B. The lenses can be
any suitable type of lens, including, e.g., spherical lenses,
aspheric lenses, rod lenses, etc. or any combination thereof. For
example, the lenses used in the first lens array 1502A can comprise
aspheric lenses, and the lenses used in the second lens array 1502B
can comprise rod lenses. Although the lens assembly 1502 shown in
FIG. 7 includes two lens arrays, it should be appreciated that
additional lens arrays may be used, e.g., three lens arrays, four
lens arrays, five lens arrays, etc. In addition, to assist in
enabling a small system size, the diameter of each lens in the
assembly 1502 can be less than about 0.5'', e.g., in a range of
about 0.1'' to about 0.5''. The f-number of each lens can be less
than about 2, e.g., in a range of about 0.2 to 2, or more
particularly, in a range of about 0.5 to 2, or 1.0 to 2 or 1.1 to
2.
[0322] The first lens array 1502A and the second lens array 1502B
can be coupled to one another by way of a mounting plate 1584 sized
and shaped to support or receive each lens array 1502A, 1502B. For
example, the first lens array 1502A can be mounted on one side of
the mounting plate 1584, and the second lens array 1502B can be
mounted on an opposite side of the mounting plate 1584. The
mounting plate 1584 can be machined to have diameter tolerances of
about +/-25 microns. The lenses of the arrays 1502A, 1502B can be
secured to the mounting plate 1584 with a curable epoxy. For
example, the lenses may fit into opposite sides of holes formed in
the mounting plate 1584.
[0323] The optical FPA unit 1508 can comprise any suitable type of
detector array that is configured to detect infrared radiation, for
example, greater than 1 micron, or greater than 2 microns, or
greater than 3 microns or greater than 5 microns, or greater than 6
microns and possibly lower than 20 microns, or 15 microns, or 13
microns, or 12 microns or 10 microns, in wavelength, and may be
cooled or uncooled. In some embodiments the optical FPA unit 1508
comprises one or more microbolometer arrays, which may be uncooled.
For example, an array of about 1000.times.1000 microbolometer
arrays may be used in the embodiments disclosed herein.
Microbolometer arrays such as those manufactured by DRS
Technologies of Arlington, Va., and Sofradir EC, Inc., of
Fairfield, N.J., may be suitable for the embodiments disclosed
herein. For example, the DRS U8000 FPA manufactured by DRS
Technologies may be used in some embodiments. In some arrangements,
the microbolometer array may have a resolution of 1024.times.768
with a pixel pitch of 12 microns. The array of lenses can form
separate channels having image detection regions that form part of
the array. For example, 12 channels can be included in the
1024.times.768 pixel array on the detector array (microbolometer
array) that are for example 250.times.250 pixels for each of the 12
channels. Detector arrays having more or less pixels may be
employed. Similarly the number of channels be larger or smaller
than 12 and the detection area on the detector array for a single
channel may be larger or smaller than 250.times.250 pixels. For
example, the detection region may comprise from between 100-200
pixels.times.100-200 pixels per detection region. For example, the
detection region may comprise from between 100-200
pixels.times.100-200 pixels per detection region, from between
200-300 pixels.times.200-300 pixels per detection region, or from
between 300-400 pixels.times.300-400 pixels or from between 400-500
pixels.times.400-500 pixels. Likewise the detection region for a
channel may measure 100-200 pixels on a side, 200-300 pixels on a
side, 300-400 pixels on a side, 400-500 pixels on side or larger or
smaller.
[0324] In some arrangements, the spectral band of the
microbolometer can be about 7.5 microns to 14 microns or can be
about 3 microns to 14 microns or 3 to 8 microns. The microbolometer
array can operate at a frame rate of about 30 Hz and can operate at
operating temperatures of about -40.degree. C. to +70.degree. C. In
various embodiments, the microbolometer array is an uncooled
microbolometer that does not include a cooler. The sensitivity of
the microbolometer at F/1 can be <about 40 mK. The systems 1000
disclosed herein can be used to detect wavelengths in a range of
about 1 micron to about 20 microns. For example, the systems 1000
disclosed herein can be used to detect wavelengths above about 6
microns, e.g., in a range of about 6 microns to about 18 microns,
in a range of about 3 microns to about 14 microns, or more
particularly, in a range of about 7 microns to about 14 microns or
3 to 8 microns. In various embodiments, the individual detector
elements of the microbolometer array can be spaced relatively close
together to at least partially enable a small, compact system. For
example, adjacent detector elements of the array can be spaced
apart by a distance in a range of about 7 microns to about 15
microns, or more particularly in a range of about 9 microns to
about 13 microns, e.g., about 11 microns. The individual lenses can
be spaced apart by a distance in a range of about 20 mm to about 35
mm, e.g. in a range of about 24 mm to about 30 mm, e.g., about 27.5
mm. Likewise the spatially and spectrally spaced channels may be
physically spaced apart by 20 to 35 mm, 24 mm to 30 mm, etc.
Although various embodiments of the system are described as
including an FPA comprising for example a microbolometer array,
certain embodiments comprise a plurality of FPAs. In some
embodiments, a single optical FPA is used. In some embodiments,
detectors of the optical FPA are configured to detect radiation in
the same band of IR wavelengths.
[0325] The on-board processing electronics of the data acquisition
and processing module 1020 can process the IR optical data to
detect and/or identify a target species from the IR radiation
received at the optical FPA. For example, the module 1020 can be
configured to acquire multispectral image data and analyze the
acquired image data to identify the target species. For example,
the mobile imaging systems 1000 disclosed herein can be configured
to image a 10 m.times.10 m object area at a distance of about 17 m
at a resolution of about 0.04 m. In this example, any gas leaks
that generate a gas cloud of at least about 1.5 inches in size can
be detected and/or identified by the system 1000. The detection and
identification methods can be performed substantially in real-time
such that the user can be alerted if any leaks are identified.
[0326] As explained above, the infrared image data captured by the
system 1000 can be processed on board the data acquisition and
processing module 1020 of the imaging system 1000. One way to
provide a smaller system 1000 is to process the image data using
one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) configured to
execute methods used in the analysis of the images captured by the
optical system 1015. In some embodiments, one or more Application
Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) may be used instead of, or in
addition to, the FPGAs. For example, an ASICs chip may include a
FPGA. The FPGA(s) (and/or ASIC(s)) can be mounted to and
electrically coupled with the substrate(s) 1586 shown in FIG. 7 and
can be physically located proximate the optical system. For
example, the FPGA can include logic gates and read access memory
(RAM) blocks that are designed to quickly implement the
computations used to detect the types of gases in a gas cloud. The
small size/weight, and high performance characteristics of the FPGA
can enable on board computation and analysis within the data
acquisition and detection unit 1020 worn or carried by the user.
The use of FPGA (or similar electronics) on board the system 1000
can reduce costs associated with using an off-site central server
or larger computing device to conduct the image analysis
computations. Advantageously, the embodiments disclosed herein can
enable on-board computation even though it can be challenging to
implement complex methods on the limited computing platform that
FPGAs provide.
[0327] In addition, enabling computation with one or more FPGA
devices on board the wearable system can also prevent or reduce
communication bottlenecks associated with wirelessly transmitting
large amounts of raw data from the system 1000 to a remote server
or computer. For example, the infrared optical system 1015
disclosed herein may generate up to about 380 Mbps of raw image
data at 30 frames per second, and the visible sensor 1580 may
generate about 425 Mbps of raw image data at 30 frames per second.
The resulting data rate of about 800 Mbps is faster than most
conventional wireless technologies. While data compression and/or
pre-processing may reduce the raw data rates for the visible and IR
images, in some embodiments, the IR image data may only be
compressed by a ratio of about 2:1. The resulting overall data rate
of about 192 Mbps may not be transmitted effectively by
conventional wireless communications devices. Accordingly,
performing the image processing calculations on board the system
1000 (e.g., on the data acquisition and processing module 1020) can
reduce the occurrence of or avoid bottlenecks generated by
wirelessly communicating the raw image data to an off-site central
server.
[0328] One challenge to implementing a mobile imaging system is the
power requirements of each component of the system, including,
e.g., the IR optical system 1015, the visible sensor 1580, the
processing electronics, the wireless communications modules, etc.
Advantageously, the mobile infrared imaging systems 1000 disclosed
herein can be configured to operate by battery power for long
periods of time without recharging or replacing the batteries 1588.
In some arrangements the one or more batteries 1588 can comprise
lithium ion batteries, which have relatively high energy densities.
In addition, to help reduce power consumption within the system
1000, the FPGAs of the data acquisition and processing module 1020
can be advantageously programmed such that power consumption is
lower than that used for other types of processing electronics.
[0329] The systems 1000 disclosed herein can advantageously operate
for between 8 hours and 36 hours without recharging or replacing
the batteries, or more particularly between about 10 hours and 24
hours without recharging or replacing the batteries. In some
embodiments, the system 1000 can operate for at least about 12
hours without recharging or replacing the batteries. The components
of the data acquisition and processing module 1020 (including the
imaging optics, focal plane array, and on board processing
electronics may) can be configured to operate at relatively low
electrical power levels, e.g., at power levels in a range of about
3 W to about 10 W, or more particularly in a range of about 4 W to
about 7 W, or in a range of about 4 W to about 6 W, e.g., about 5 W
in some embodiments. The components of the data acquisition and
processing module 1020 (including the imaging optics, focal plane
array, and on board processing electronics may) can also be
configured to operate at relatively low overall energy levels for a
single charge of the batteries 1588, e.g., at energy levels in a
range of about 60 Watt-hours (Wh) to about 100 Wh, or more
particularly in a range of about 80 Wh to about 95 Wh, or in a
range of about 85 Wh to about 90 Wh.
[0330] In addition, for each of the embodiments disclosed herein,
various motion detection and/or compensation techniques can be
implemented to account for relatively large-scale motions that are
induced by the user moving his or her head during use. For example,
when a user is visiting a well site or other installation, the user
may be continuously walking and looking in different directions
(e.g., by rotating his or her head). Additionally, vibration can be
introduced by the user's natural unsteadiness. Such movement can
continuously change the system's field of view at a relatively
rapid rate, which can affect the accuracy of the methods used to
determine the identity of species in a gas cloud or other object.
Accordingly, it can be desirable to provide improved motion
detection and/or compensation techniques to reduce errors
associated with the movements of the user.
V. EXAMPLES OF WINDOW OBSCURATION SENSORS
[0331] The DAISI systems disclosed herein may include one or more
window obscuration sensors that help reduce false detection of
target species. In particular, if there is water, dirt, grime,
dust, bugs or other foreign contaminants on the DAISI system's
optical window (e.g., optical window 1606 of FIG. 6A or window 1506
of FIG. 7), the contaminants can induce a perceived spectral change
into the system and create the false signature of a target species
(e.g., a hydrocarbon gas like methane) due to parallax. In other
words, objects in the near field may block one IR channel
disproportionately to the other channels, causing a shift in the IR
spectrum received by the optical detector system that could be
perceived by the system as a target species in the scene or
preventing proper sensing of target species (e.g., near field
objects may result in false positives or false negatives). The
system may therefore falsely report detection of a target species
due to the presence of water, dirt, bugs, or other such
contaminants on the optical window.
[0332] The system may also be susceptible to false positives when
objects are sufficiently near the optical window (i.e., when there
are objects in a near-field region). The distances at which the
system is susceptible to false positives may depend at least in
part on the optical properties of the imaging system and its
lenses. For objects at larger distances (i.e., objects in a
far-field region), the system may be able to accurately identify
whether or not those objects at further distances are one of the
target species. The near-field region in which the imaging system
may be susceptible to false positives may include distances of less
than 2 meters, less than 1 meter, less than 50 centimeters,
etc.
[0333] Beneficially, the systems 1000 disclosed herein can provide
one or more window obscuration sensors that can detect when the
optical window is obscured (e.g., sensors that can detect objects
on or in front of the window that may introduce obscuration that
may degrade operation of the system) by contaminants on the window
or objects are located within the near-field region and thus the
system can reduce or eliminate false alarms and false detections of
target species.
[0334] A. Dual-Channel Window Obscuration Sensors
[0335] As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a system 1000 may include a
4.times.3 array of optical channels, defined in part by an array
800 of optical filters. The array 800 may include a variety of
infrared filters such as infrared filters 810. Most of the optical
channels may have an infrared filter such as filter 810 as shown in
FIG. 8A. Moreover, each of the infrared filters may pass a
different set of infrared frequencies, such that the system 1000
can image a scene in a variety of different wavelengths
simultaneously as part of detecting target species. If desired, an
array such as the 4.times.3 array of FIG. 8A may include one or
more unused optical channels, such as channel 840. In such
embodiments, a light blocking filter may be disposed in the unused
optical channel(s) to ensure that no stray light enters adjacent
channels. In at least some example, channel 840 may be a reference
channel with a cover over the lenses (e.g., used for tracking
temperature changes in the optical system).
[0336] The systems 1000 disclosed herein can include dual-channel
window obscuration sensors (WOS), as shown in FIG. 8A. With a
dual-channel WOS sensor, the systems 1000 can use differences
between data from two channels such as channels 850a and 850b to
exclude from detection objects that are disposed away from the
systems 1000 and thereby focus upon objects that are located within
the near-field of systems 1000. In other words, the systems 1000
can use parallax differences between the two channels 850a and 850b
of the WOS sensor to identify objects that are within the
near-field region and that might otherwise trigger a false positive
identification of a target species.
[0337] The dual-channel WOS may include channels 850a and 850b
associated with filters 820 and 830. Filters 820 and 830 may be any
type of filter or may even be omitted from the filter array 800. As
another example, filters 820 and 830 may pass a broad spectrum of
incoming light, such as visible light or broad ranges of infrared
light including wavelengths in which the focal plan array is
sensitive. In some arrangements, filters 820 and 830 may pass
infrared light in a spectral band from about 3 microns to about 14
microns, from about 7.5 microns to about 14 microns, from about 3
microns to about 8 microns, etc.
[0338] In at least some designs, dual-channel window obscuration
sensors may be associated with optical channels such as channels
850a and 850b disposed in the center two channels of an array of
channels, as illustrated in FIG. 8A. By disposing the WOS channels
in the center two channels of an array, such as a 4.times.3 array,
the parallax differences between the two channels can be
concentrated in an x-axis, thereby simplifying detection of objects
near the systems 1000. In general, however, WOS channels may be
disposed in any desired location or in any channels of an array,
including the center channels, peripheral channels, and corner
channels.
[0339] A schematic diagram of the array 800 of optical filters is
shown in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIG. 8B, the 4.times.3 array may
include 12 optical channels. Optical channels 6 and 7 may be
associated with WOS filters 820 and 830, which pass a relatively
broad spectrum of wavelengths. In contrast, optical channels 1-5,
8, 9, 11, and 12 may be associated with infrared filters 840, which
may pass narrow spectrums of infrared wavelengths as appropriate
for the detection of target species using infrared spectral
signatures, as discussed herein. Optical channel 10, associated
with filter 840, may be an unused optical channel. The arrangement
of optical channels in FIG. 8B is merely an example and, in
general, infrared optical channels, WOS channels, and any unused
optical channels may be disposed in any desired arrangement.
[0340] 1. Lens Focal Lengths for Window Obscuration Sensors
[0341] In order for the WOS sensors to focus on the optical window
1506 and the near-field region just in front of the optical window
1506 (i.e., the region in which systems 1000 are susceptible to
false detections), lenses for the WOS sensors should be provided
with an appropriate focal length. As such, the distances between
the optical window 1506, lens assembly 1502, and optical FPA unit
1508 together with the focal length of the lens assembly 1502
should be considered.
[0342] FIG. 9 illustrates the distances between optical window
1506, lens assembly 1502, and optical FPA unit 1508. In particular,
FIG. 9 illustrates the separation 2010 between optical window 1506
and lens assembly 1502 and illustrates the separation 2020 between
lens assembly 1502 and FPA unit 1508. In at least some designs, the
separation 2010 may be approximately 26 millimeters, while the
separation 2020 may be approximately 2.4 millimeters.
[0343] Apply a thin lens approximately (i.e., setting aside the
depth of lens assembly 1502 and assuming lens assembly 1502
included a single layer of thin lenses), the thin lens
approximation can be used to determine what focal length is needed
for a WOS sensor to receive light from the entire optical window
1506 (and thus be able to detect when a bug or other contaminant is
on any part of the window 1506). The thin lens indicates that the
focal length of a WOS channel is:
F=(1/x+1/y){circumflex over ( )}.sup.-1
[0344] wherein x is the distance from the lens assembly 1502 to the
optical window 1506 and y is the distance from the lens assembly
1502 to the optical FPA 1508. Given a distance x (i.e., separation
2010) of approximately 26 millimeters and a distance y (i.e.,
separation 2020) of approximately 2.4 millimeters, the lenses in
lens assembly 1502 associated with WOS sensor should preferably
have a focal length of approximately 2.2 millimeters. Depending on
the depth of the field of the lenses, slightly longer or shorter
focal lengths may be utilized. In particular, it may be desirable
to provides lenses having a depth of field that include the depth
of the optical window 1508 as well distances in front of the
optical window 1508 in regions in which the systems 1000 are
susceptible to false detections due to objects in the near-region.
In at least some designs, the systems 1000 may be susceptible to
false detections when certain objects are within approximately a
few tens of centimeters, less than 20 centimeters, or less than 50
centimeters of optical window 1506
[0345] In at least some designs, the lenses associated with WOS
channels 850a and 850b (see FIG. 8A) may be in focus for a range of
distances from the lenses that include the optical window 1506 as
well as any regions in front of the optical window 1506 where the
presence of an object may disrupt normal operation of the detection
of target species by the systems 1000. In particular, the lenses of
channels 850a and 850b may be focused on the optical window, may be
focused at a location between the optical window and the lenses, or
may be focused at a location beyond the optical window. In
arrangements in which the plane of focus (e.g., the focus depth) is
not set at the optical window, the lenses may have a depth of field
that extends from the plane of focus to the distance of the optical
window and to distances spaced apart from the optical window (e.g.,
regions in front of the optical window in which the systems 1000
may be susceptible to false alarms by the presence of external
objects). The depth of field of the lenses of WOS channels 850a and
850b may be selected by selecting the optical properties of the
lenses including possibly any of the lenses' aperture sizes, focal
distance (e.g., distance from the systems 1000 at which the lenses
are focused), focal length, or combinations thereof.
[0346] As examples, the depth of field of the WOS channels 850a and
850b (e.g., the region in which objects imaged by channels 850a and
850b are generally in focus) may extend from the optical window to
approximately 1 meter away from the optical window, from the
optical window to approximately 50 cm away from the optical window,
from the optical window to approximately 20 cm away from the
optical window, from the optical window to approximately 10 cm away
from the optical window. In various designs, the f-number may be
between f/10 or f/8 or f/5 or f/2 or f/1 and f/1 or f/0.9 or f/0.8
or f/0.7, or any f-number in any range defined by any of these
values. Also, in various designs, the lenses in the channels 850a
and 850b may have a focal length less than the lenses in other
channels. For example, the focal length in other channels may be 2
or 5 times larger than the focal length in WOS channels 850a and
850b.
[0347] 2. Dual-Channel WOS Algorithms
[0348] In at least some designs, the systems 1000 may analyze image
data from WOS channels and detect objects that may otherwise lead
to false alarms using an algorithm of the type described herein. A
method 1002 of analyzing WOS image data to detect whether optical
window 1506 is obscured is shown in FIG. 10. While FIG. 10
illustrates a detailed method for evaluating WOS sensor data,
various steps may be excluded, alternative steps may be included,
and the steps may be reordered. As an example and as discussed
later in connection with single-channel WOS systems, the
cross-correlation step may be omitted. In general, FIG. 10 may
involve example steps for evaluating focus levels images from WOS
channels 850a and 850b (e.g., whether the images are in focus,
whether any parts of the images are in focus, etc.). Additionally,
FIG. 10 may involve comparing the images from the two WOS channels
850a and 850b with each other to determine how similar the two
images are at a variety of offsets.
[0349] In step 1004, window obscuration sensors may image optical
window 1506 and the area in front of optical window 1506 (i.e., the
near field region in front of optical window 1506). Processing
circuitry may receive and analyze those images in the manner set
forth in FIG. 10. The processing circuitry may include, as
examples, processing unit 1021 of FIG. 5 or external equipment.
[0350] In optional step 1006, an unsharp mask algorithm may be
applied to the WOS images, to sharpen the WOS images. An unsharp
mask involves using a blurred negative image to create a mask that
is combined with the original image to create an image that is less
blurry. An unsharp mask generally amplifies the high-frequency
components of an image. Alternatives to unsharp masks include edge
amplification, high-pass filters, derivative-based filtering, edge
enhancement, an image sharpening mask, a contrast filter, contrast
amplification, contrast enhancement, etc.
[0351] In optional step 1008, a temporal difference algorithm may
be applied to the WOS images. The temporal difference algorithm may
subtract out from the WOS images a reference image (or an average
of multiple reference images, reference images may be prior images
captured by an optical channel) or plurality of reference images
from each WOS image. Each reference image may be an image frame
captured by the WOS sensors at a time when it is known or presumed
there are no objects on or near window 1506. In fixed
installations, subtracting out a relatively fixed background, in
the manner of step 1008, can facilitate detection of new objects
that appear on or near optical window 1506. In general, subtracting
out a reference image or images may highlight movement in the image
by removing static and other slow moving objects.
[0352] In step 1010, processing circuitry may identify edges in the
WOS images. As an example, a Sobel filter may be applied to the WOS
images to create an image of the gradients (i.e., edges) in the WOS
images. Additionally, a threshold operation may be applied to
remove any gradients that are lower than a given threshold, leaving
only large gradients (i.e., sharp edges). Because only objects that
are in focus of the WOS sensors will have sharp edges, steps
1006-1010 have the effect of filtering out distance objects. In
particular, distance objects will be out of focus in each WOS
image, will therefore lack sharp edges, and will get filtered out
by a Sobel filter with a threshold. Alternatives to Sobel filters
include edge detection masks, edge detection algorithms, a Canny
edge detector, a differential approach to edge detection, a phase
stretch transform (PST), contrast enhancement, contrast
measurement, etc.
[0353] In step 1012, the gradient images from step 1010 may be
normalized and cross-correlated. In some cases, each gradient image
may be normalized by subtracting the mean pixel value across the
image from every pixel value and then by dividing each pixel by the
standard deviation of pixel values. Cross-correlation may look at
the similarity between the two gradient images, by combining the
two gradient images with a logical AND operation. Any portions of
the gradient images that both indicate edges (for a given
horizontal offset) will multiply and yield a result, while portions
that don't both indicate edges will include a multiplication by
zero or a small value and yield no value or only a negligible
value. Alternatives normalization and cross-correlation include
comparing the gradient images, comparing any of the images received
or generated in a prior step, comparison without normalization,
comparison of the gradient or other images at a variety of offsets,
comparison of the original images, etc.
[0354] As the WOS sensor includes a pair of divided channels spaced
apart horizontally, the cross-correlation for a variety of
horizontal pixel offsets may be of interest. As result, step 1012
may involve calculating cross-correlations for a variety of
horizontal pixel offsets. Put another way, the similarity of the
gradient images may be calculated when the gradient images are
registered (i.e., aligned) as well as calculated for a variety of
horizontal offsets in which one gradient image is horizontally
offset from the other. Since objects that are close to or on the
optical window will be in different positions in the two WOS images
(and then the two gradient images), the cross-correlation is likely
to peak not when the WOS images are aligned, but when the WOS
images are offset by an amount that accounts for the parallax
differences between the WOS images. Thus, it may be desirable to
calculate the cross-correlation for the gradient images across a
range of horizontal offsets.
[0355] Because the sensors are viewing objects on or near the
optical window, the images of the objects will appear at different
locations in each of the images, because the sensors are at
different perspectives. Thus, step 1012 may involve comparing
images from the two WOS channels 850a and 850b. The comparison may
show that image features on a first image from the first WOS
channel 850a are offset with respect to corresponding image
features on the second image from the second WOS channel 850b. This
offset may result from parallax. The two sensors for the respective
first and second WOS channels 850a, 850b, view objects on or near
the window from two perspectives. The different perspectives result
in images of the objects (in the near-field region) appearing at
different location on the two respective WOS sensors. This
difference or offset in location is larger for objects closer to
the sensors such as objects on the window in comparison to objects
at a far distance from the window. Accordingly, by detecting the
offset, whether the objects are on or near the window as opposed to
being distant from the window may be determined. In some
implementations, the images may be processed, e.g., compared, after
introducing a variety of different offsets or shifts of the images
with respect to each other. By comparing these images (and the
associated image features) at a variety of different offsets, the
method can figure out how much the objects in the two images are
offset, and possibly determine if there are any objects within the
region of interest (e.g., on or near the optical window).
Additionally, the method can potentially identify the distance at
which the object is located and/or account for the parallax
differences.
[0356] In at least some examples, WOS channels 850a and 850b may
have focal distances similar to those of the optical channels used
in detection of target species. In such examples, the window
obscuration sensor system may utilize parallax-induced differences
in the images from the WOS channels 850a and 850b to identify
whether or not objects are located within the near-field region
(e.g., on or near the optical window 1506). The WOS system may also
utilize parallax-induced differences even when the WOS channels
850a and 850b have significantly shorter focal distances (e.g., are
focused on or near the optical window) than the optical channels
used in detection of target species.
[0357] While the examples described herein generally provide WOS
channels that are spaced apart horizontally and aligned vertically,
this is merely one potential arrangement. In general, the WOS
channels may alternatively be spaced apart vertically and aligned
horizontally, or even spaced apart both vertically and horizontally
(e.g., in a diagonal manner). The various examples described herein
apply to such arrangements, with corresponding differences (e.g.,
cross-correlations would be calculated for vertical or diagonal
offsets instead of just horizontal offsets).
[0358] In step 1014, various conditions may be applied to reduce
false positive WOS alerts. In other words, the processing circuitry
analyze various conditions to determine whether to issue a WOS
alert (i.e., an alert indicating that there is water on optical
window 1506, or some other contaminant on or near the optical
window, which could interfere with proper detection of a target
species). One such condition may be that there must be at least a
predetermined number of "bad" pixels, or pixels in the gradient
images that exceed the threshold discussed in connection with step
1010. In other words, the condition may involve determining that
there are at least a predetermined number of sharp edges in the
gradient images, such sharp edges being associated with water or
other objects on or near the optical window. As an example, this
condition may require there be at least 25 "bad" pixels in the
gradient images. The number of "bad" pixels needed to trigger a WOS
alert may be configurable by a user. In general, a higher required
number of "bad" pixels will make the WOS alarm less sensitive to
water or other objects on or near the optical window.
[0359] Another potential condition that may need to be satisfied to
trigger a WOS alert is a cross correlation value above a
predetermined threshold. In one example, the predetermined
threshold is a value of at least 0.4. In other words, the two
gradient images must be sufficiently alike that when logically
AND'd together in their most correlated horizontal alignment, the
cross correlation value is at least 0.4 The cross correlation value
required to trigger a WOS alert may be user configurable. In
general, a higher cross correlation value will make the WOS alarm
less sensitive to water or other objects on or near the optical
window.
[0360] As will be discussed in greater detail in connection with
FIG. 21C, the processing circuitry may subtract a cross-correlation
value (e.g., one of the lower cross-correlation values, the minimum
cross-correlation value in box 21k) from the set of
cross-correlation values before analyzing the peak value. By
subtracting out one of the lower cross-correlation values from box
21k, the processing circuitry may be able to distinguish between
the presence of target species in close proximity (for which it may
not be desirable to issue a WOS alert) and the presence of other
objects in close proximity (for which it may be desirable to issue
a WOS alert).
[0361] A third potential condition may be that the cross
correlation value of 0.4 must occur within an offset of 30 pixels.
In other words, cross correlation of step 1012 may only be
calculated (or may only be used in triggering a WOS alert) for
offsets that are within 30 pixels (in either horizontal direction)
of the original alignment of the two gradient images.
Alternatively, step 1012 may involve a comparison of any of the
images described in connection with FIG. 10 for any suitable number
of offsets over any suitable number of offset ranges. As an
example, the method may include comparing images from channels 850a
and 850b by shifting the image from one channel in a range from 25
pixels leftwards to 25 pixels rightwards relative to the other
channel. The offsets may generally correspond to the depth of field
of the WOS channels 850a and 850b.
[0362] This may serve to limit the processing load of the WOS
algorithm while still identifying relevant objects in or near the
optical window. The offset limit for cross correlations that
trigger a WOS alert may be user configurable.
[0363] 3. Examples of WOS Sensing in Various Conditions
[0364] FIGS. 11A-21C illustrate various stages of WOS image
processing and alert condition detection for a variety of
conditions, showing the performance of the window obscuration
sensor in correctly identifying the presence of objects on or near
the optical window of the systems. As previously noted, objects
that are on or near the optical window may generate false positives
and appear to the DAISI systems as a target species of gas, due in
part to parallax effects in the near field rage. Thus, the window
obscuration sensors described herein can beneficially identify when
objects are on or near the optical window, and providing a
corresponding WOS alert. FIGS. 11A-21C highlight the performance of
the WOS alerting system in various conditions.
[0365] The descriptions of FIGS. 11A-21C may refer to actions being
taken or decisions made by a system such as a WOS system. In
general, any suitable processor or electronics in systems 1000 or
in external equipment may perform the described actions or make the
described decisions. As examples, processing unit 1020 and
processor 1023 of systems 1000 may implement the actions and
decision-making processes described herein in connection with FIGS.
11A-21C.
[0366] When a WOS alert is provided by the DAISI systems, the DAISI
systems may forward the alert to a user, so that the user can
remove the object potentially interfering with accurate measurement
or detection (e.g., clean the optical window), and may also
temporarily disable detection of target species (e.g., to avoid
false alerts caused by the objects detected by the WOS sensor).
Alternatively, the DAISI system may continue detection of target
species when the WOS channels 850a and 850b detect objects in the
near-field region (e.g., within approximately 1 meter of the system
or within approximately 20 centimeters or the system). In some
examples, the DAISI system may use data from WOS channels 850a and
850b to compensate for the presence of objects in the near-field
region that would otherwise impact detection of target species and
may thereby enable continued operate and accurate detection of
target species. As an example, the DAISI system may use data from
WOS channels 850a and 850b to determine which IR channels are
obscured and by how much those channels are obscured, and then may
alter its analysis of IR image data from those channels to
compensation for the obscuration (e.g., the DAISI systems may boost
IR image signals from obscured channels to compensate for the
obscuration).
[0367] a. A Fishing Lure at 2 Centimeters
[0368] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a fishing lure is positioned
approximately 2 centimeters away from the optical window 1506 of
one of the systems 1000.
[0369] Image 11a of FIG. 11A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 11a, an
outline of the fishing lure is visible, while the background is
generally blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the
near-field region including the optical window as described
herein.
[0370] Image 11b may be a version of image 11a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 11b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 11b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region).
[0371] Image 11e of FIG. 11B may be a version of image 11b (or 11a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 11e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the fishing lure have been
enhanced. The edges of the fishing lure are generally sharp in the
illustrated example as the optical channels associated with the WOS
system have their focus set for objects on or near the optical
window, which includes objects at a distance of 2 centimeters.
[0372] Images 11c and 11d are equivalent versions of images 11a and
11b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 11f is an
equivalent version of image 11e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 11c, 11d, and 11f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0373] As shown in images 11e and 11f, a large number of pixels (as
indicated in banner 11i approximately 685 "bad pixels") have a
gradient value above the predetermined threshold. These pixels may
be referred to herein as bad pixels and may be associated with
objects that are in-focus, and thereby known to be within the
region of interest for the WOS system.
[0374] Graph 11g of FIG. 11B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 11e and 11f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 11g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 11e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 11e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 11e in a rightward direction.
[0375] As shown in graph 11g, the fishing lure at 2 cm example may
have a peak cross-correlation value of approximately 0.6 (e.g., a
peak value of 0.613 at a positive shift of 8 pixels).
[0376] As part of step 1014, the WOS system may determine that the
peak cross-correlation value within box 11h (see graph 11g) exceeds
the predetermined threshold and that the number of "bad" pixels
exceeds the predetermined threshold. As a result, the WOS system
may issue a WOS alert, as indicated by box 11i, in the example of
FIGS. 11A and 11B.
[0377] b. A Fishing Lure at 20 Centimeters
[0378] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a fishing lure is positioned
approximately 20 centimeters away from the optical window 1506 of
one of the systems 1000.
[0379] Image 12a of FIG. 12A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 12a, an
outline of the fishing lure is visible, while the background is
generally blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the
near-field region including the optical window as described
herein.
[0380] Image 12b may be a version of image 12a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 12b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 12b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region).
[0381] Image 12e of FIG. 12B may be a version of image 12b (or 12a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 12e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the fishing lure have been
enhanced. The edges of the fishing lure are generally sharp in the
illustrated example as the optical channels associated with the WOS
system have their focus set for objects on or near the optical
window, which includes objects at a distance of 20 centimeters.
[0382] Images 12c and 12d are equivalent versions of images 12a and
12b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 12f is an
equivalent version of image 12e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 12c, 12d, and 12f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0383] As shown in images 12e and 12f, a large number of pixels
(indicated in banner 12i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold (e.g., 34 "bad pixels" as indicated in
banner 12i). These pixels may be referred to herein as bad pixels
and may be associated with objects that are in-focus, and thereby
known to be within the region of interest for the WOS system.
[0384] Graph 12g of FIG. 12B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 12e and 12f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 12g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 12e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 12e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 12e in a rightward direction.
[0385] As shown in graph 12g, the fishing lure at 20 cm example may
have a peak cross-correlation value of approximately 0.6 (e.g., a
peak of 0.629 at a shift of +28 pixels). Moreover, in comparison to
graph 11g of FIG. 11B, the peak may be shifted towards a larger
horizontal offset (e.g., the peak may be closer to a +30 pixel
shift in graph 12g, as opposed to around +5 pixels in graph 11g).
This shift may be associated with the increased distance of 20 cm
in the example of FIGS. 12A and 12B, relative to the example at 2
cm.
[0386] As part of step 1014, the WOS system may determine that the
peak cross-correlation value within box 12h (see graph 12g) exceeds
the predetermined threshold and that the number of "bad" pixels
exceeds the predetermined threshold. As a result, the WOS system
may issue a WOS alert, as indicated by box 12i, in the example of
FIGS. 12A and 12B.
[0387] c. A Fishing Lure at 50 Centimeters
[0388] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a fishing lure is positioned
approximately 50 centimeters away from the optical window 1506 of
one of the systems 1000.
[0389] Image 13a of FIG. 13A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 13a, an
outline of the fishing lure is just barely visible and is nearly as
blurred as the background, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon
the near-field region including the optical window as described
herein.
[0390] Image 13b may be a version of image 13a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 13b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 13b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region). In the example of FIG. 13A, the temporal mask
has the effect of highlighting the fishing lure in image 13b.
[0391] Image 13e of FIG. 13B may be a version of image 13b (or 13a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 13e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the somewhat blurry edges of the fishing lure are
somewhat sharpened. However, since the fishing lure is generally
out of the focal range of the WOS system at 50 centimeters, its
edges are somewhat blurry.
[0392] Images 13c and 13d are equivalent versions of images 13a and
13b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 13f is an
equivalent version of image 13e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 13c, 13d, and 13f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0393] As shown in images 13e and 13f, very few if any pixels
(indicated in banner 13i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold (e.g., 0 "bad pixels" as indicated in
banner 13i). In particular, there are very few, if any, edges that
are sufficiently sharp in images 13e and 13f. Thus, the system can
conclude that there are no objects within the region of interest
near or on the optical window. As such, the WOW system may
determine that no WOS alert is needed based on the lack of such
edges (e.g., the lack of "bad" pixels in the gradient images).
Nonetheless, the system may continue with WOS processing including
calculation of cross-correlation values.
[0394] Graph 13g of FIG. 13B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 13e and 13f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 13g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 13e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 13e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 13e in a rightward direction.
[0395] As shown in graph 13g, the fishing lure at 50 cm example may
have a peak cross-correlation value of approximately 0.2 (e.g., a
peak of 0.149 at a zero offset). As such, the cross-correlation
value may not exceed the predetermined threshold indicated by box
13h and the system may decide not to provide a WOS alert.
[0396] d. A Tennis Racket at 2 Centimeters
[0397] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a tennis racket is positioned
approximately 2 centimeters away from the optical window 1506 of
one of the systems 1000.
[0398] Image 14a of FIG. 14A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 14a, an
outline of the tennis racket is visible, while the background is
generally blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the
near-field region including the optical window as described
herein.
[0399] Image 14b may be a version of image 14a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 14b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 14b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region).
[0400] Image 14e of FIG. 14B may be a version of image 14b (or 14a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 14e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the tennis racket have been
enhanced. The edges of the tennis racket are generally sharp in the
illustrated example as the optical channels associated with the WOS
system have their focus set for objects on or near the optical
window, which includes objects at a distance of 2 centimeters.
[0401] Images 14c and 14d are equivalent versions of images 14a and
14b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 14f is an
equivalent version of image 14e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 14c, 14d, and 14f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0402] As shown in images 14e and 14f, a large number of pixels
(indicated in banner 14i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold (e.g., 53 "bad pixels" as shown in banner
14i). These pixels may be referred to herein as bad pixels and may
be associated with objects that are in-focus, and thereby known to
be within the region of interest for the WOS system.
[0403] Graph 14g of FIG. 14B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 14e and 14f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 14g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 14e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 14e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 14e in a rightward direction.
[0404] As shown in graph 14g, the tennis racket at 2 cm example may
have a peak cross-correlation value of approximately 0.5 (e.g., a
peak of 0.474 at a pixel shift of +28). Additionally, given the
repeating pattern of the strings of the tennis racket, the gradient
images have multiple cross-correlation peaks as shown in graph 14.
Nonetheless, the system may still trigger a WOS alert.
[0405] As part of step 1014, the WOS system may determine that the
peak cross-correlation value within box 14h (see graph 14g) exceeds
the predetermined threshold and that the number of "bad" pixels
exceeds the predetermined threshold. As a result, the WOS system
may issue a WOS alert, as indicated by box 14i, in the example of
FIGS. 14A and 14B.
[0406] e. A Moving Object at 2 Meters
[0407] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a moving object is positioned
approximately 2 meters away from the optical window 1506 of one of
the systems 1000.
[0408] Image 15a of FIG. 15A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 15a, an
outline of the moving object is visible, while the background is
generally blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the
near-field region including the optical window as described
herein.
[0409] Image 15b may be a version of image 15a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 15b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 15b.
[0410] Image 15e of FIG. 15B may be a version of image 15b (or 15a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 15e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system. As
illustrated, the moving object (which is too far from the system to
be in focus for the WOS channels) has relatively soft edges.
[0411] Images 15c and 15d are equivalent versions of images 15a and
15b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 15f is an
equivalent version of image 15e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 15c, 15d, and 15f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0412] As shown in images 15e and 15f, few if any of the pixels
(also indicated in banner 15i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold (e.g., 0 "bad pixels"). In particular,
since the moving object is relatively far away from the optical
window, the moving object is not in sharp focus and can't provide
sharp edges. As such, the WOS system may decide not to issue a WOS
alert, as there are insufficient sharp edges present in the
gradient images.
[0413] Graph 15g of FIG. 15B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 15e and 15f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 15g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 15e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 15e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 15e in a rightward direction.
[0414] As shown in graph 15g, the moving object at 2 m example may
have a peak cross-correlation value of approximately 0.1 (e.g., a
peak of 0.070 at a pixel shift of +29). This peak may be less than
needed to satisfy the conditions applied in step 1015. As such, the
WOS system may determine that the peak cross-correlation value
within box 15h (see graph 15g) does not exceed the predetermined
threshold. As a result, the WOS system may decide not to issue a
WOS alert, as indicated by box 15i, in the example of FIGS. 15A and
15B.
[0415] f. Water Droplets on the Optical Window
[0416] FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which water droplets are sprinkled onto
the optical window 1506 of one of the systems 1000.
[0417] Image 16a of FIG. 16A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 16a,
the water droplets are visible, while the background is generally
blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the near-field
region including the optical window as described herein.
[0418] Image 16b may be a version of image 16a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 16b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 16b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region).
[0419] Image 16e of FIG. 16B may be a version of image 16b (or 16a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 16e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the water drops have been
enhanced. The edges of the water drops are generally sharp in the
illustrated example, because the optical channels associated with
the WOS system have their focus set for objects on or near the
optical window, which includes objects on the optical window.
[0420] Images 16c and 16d are equivalent versions of images 16a and
16b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 16f is an
equivalent version of image 16e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 16c, 16d, and 16f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0421] As shown in images 16e and 16f, a large number of pixels
(indicated in banner 16i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold (e.g., 313 bad pixels). These pixels may be
referred to herein as bad pixels and may be associated with objects
that are in-focus, and thereby known to be within the region of
interest for the WOS system.
[0422] Graph 16g of FIG. 16B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 16e and 16f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 16g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 16e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 16e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 16e in a rightward direction.
[0423] As shown in graph 16g, the example with water droplets on
the optical window may have a peak cross-correlation value of
approximately 0.7 (e.g., a peak of 0.700 at a pixel offset of
-3).
[0424] As part of step 1014, the WOS system may determine that the
peak cross-correlation value within box 16h (see graph 16g) exceeds
the predetermined threshold and that the number of "bad" pixels
exceeds the predetermined threshold. As a result, the WOS system
may issue a WOS alert, as indicated by box 16i, in the example of
FIGS. 16A and 16B.
[0425] g. A Second Example of Water Droplets on the Optical
Window
[0426] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a second example in which water
droplets are sprinkled onto the optical window 1506 of one of the
systems 1000.
[0427] Image 17a of FIG. 17A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 17a,
the water droplets are visible, while the background is generally
blurred, as the optical channel 6 is focused upon the near-field
region including the optical window as described herein.
[0428] Image 17b may be a version of image 17a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 17b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 17b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region). In the particular example if image 17b, the
temporal mask may also filter out water droplets that are
stationary and have been incorporated into the reference image.
Nonetheless, the WOS system is still able to generate a WOS alert,
as discussed below in connection with FIG. 17B.
[0429] Image 17e of FIG. 17B may be a version of image 17b (or 17a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 17e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system.
Additionally, the sharp edges of the water drops have been
enhanced.
[0430] Images 17c and 17d are equivalent versions of images 17a and
17b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 17f is an
equivalent version of image 17e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 17c, 17d, and 17f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0431] As shown in images 17e and 17f, a sufficient number of
pixels (indicated in banner 17i) have a gradient value above the
predetermined threshold to trigger a WOS alarm (e.g., 27 "bad
pixels" as shown in banner 17i).
[0432] Graph 17g of FIG. 17B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 17e and 17f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
In particular, graph 17g shows the cross-correlation values for
horizontal for an offset of -100 to +100, wherein a negative offset
may represent an offset of image 17e in a leftward direction by a
given number of pixels from the image 17e, while a positive offset
may represent an offset of image 17e in a rightward direction.
[0433] As shown in graph 17g, the second example with water
droplets on the optical window may have a peak cross-correlation
value of approximately 0.6 (e.g., a peak of 0.573 at a shift of -1
pixels), again sufficient to trigger a WOS alarm.
[0434] As part of step 1014, the WOS system may determine that the
peak cross-correlation value within box 17h (see graph 17g) exceeds
the predetermined threshold and that the number of "bad" pixels
exceeds the predetermined threshold. As a result, the WOS system
may issue a WOS alert, as indicated by box 17i, in the example of
FIGS. 17A and 17B.
[0435] h. Water Droplets on the Optical Window with a Fishing Lure
at 50 Centimeters
[0436] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which water droplets are sprinkled onto
the optical window 1506 and there is also a fishing lure moving
across the scene at a distance of approximately 50 centimeters from
the optical window. The example of FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrates
how the WOS alert can be provided, even with a moving object
potentially impacting the cross correlation calculations. For the
sake of brevity, please refer to the discussions of FIGS. 16A and
16B for additional detail on the detection of water droplets on the
optical window.
[0437] As shown in images 18a and 18b, the water droplets are clear
and in focus, while the moving fishing lure is difficult to
discern. Images 18b and 18d highlight the water droplets and the
fishing lure. In particular, the fishing lure may be visible
between columns 100 and 150 in image 18b and visible between
columns 160 and 210 in image 18b. The sharp edges of the water
droplets and the soft edges of the fishing lure are similarly
visible in images 18e and 18f. Additionally, the cross-correlation
values shown in graph 18g are relatively similar to those shown in
graph 16g of FIG. 16B. As such, the WOS system has no trouble
identifying the troublesome condition (water on the optical
window), identifying a sufficient number of bad pixels (e.g., 1972
"bad pixels" as shown in banner 18i), and a sufficiently high
cross-correlation value (e.g., a value of 0.543 at a shift of -2
pixels as illustrated in box 18h and banner 18i) and thereby
deciding to issue a WOS alert (as shown in banner 18i), even in the
presence of the moving fishing lure.
[0438] i. Water Droplets on the Optical Window with a Moving Tennis
Racket at 1 Meter
[0439] FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which water droplets are sprinkled onto
the optical window 1506 and there is also a tennis racket moving
across the scene at a distance of approximately 1 meter from the
optical window. The example of FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrates how
the WOS alert can be provided, even with a moving object
potentially impacting the cross correlation calculations. For the
sake of brevity, please refer to the discussions of FIGS. 16A and
16B for additional detail on the detection of water droplets on the
optical window.
[0440] As shown in images 19a and 19b, the water droplets are clear
and in focus, while the tennis racket is difficult to discern.
Images 19b and 19d highlight the water droplets and the tennis
racket. In particular, the tennis racket may be visible between
columns 50 and 100 in image 19b and visible between columns 150 and
200 in image 19b. The sharp edges of the water droplets are
similarly visible in images 19e and 19f, while the soft edges of
the tennis racket at a distance of 1 meter may fall below the edge
threshold and not appear in images 19e and 19f. Additionally, the
cross-correlation values shown in graph 19g are relatively similar
to those shown in graph 16g of FIG. 16B. As such, the WOS system
has no trouble identifying the troublesome condition (water on the
optical window), identifying a sufficient number of bad pixels
(e.g., 301 "bad pixels"), and a sufficiently high cross-correlation
value (e.g., a value of 0.774 at a shift of -1 pixels as shown in
box 19h and banner 19i) and thereby deciding to issue a WOS alert
(as shown in banner 19i), even in the presence of the moving tennis
racket.
[0441] j. Water Droplets on the Optical Window with a Moving Object
at 2 Meter
[0442] FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which water droplets are sprinkled onto
the optical window 1506 and there is also an object across the
scene at a distance of approximately 2 meters from the optical
window. The example of FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrates how the WOS
alert can be provided, even with a moving object potentially
impacting the cross correlation calculations. For the sake of
brevity, please refer to the discussions of FIGS. 16A and 16B for
additional detail on the detection of water droplets on the optical
window.
[0443] As shown in images 20a and 20b, the water droplets are clear
and in focus, while the moving object is difficult to discern.
Images 20b and 20d highlight the water droplets and illuminate the
positions of the moving object (the dark spot in images 20b and
20d). The sharp edges of the water droplets are similarly visible
in images 20e and 20f, while the soft edges of the object at a
distance of 2 meter may fall mostly below the edge threshold and
not appear in images 20e and 20f. Additionally, the
cross-correlation values shown in graph 20g are relatively similar
to those shown in graph 16g of FIG. 16B. As such, the WOS system
has no trouble identifying the troublesome condition (water on the
optical window), identifying a sufficient number of bad pixels
(e.g., 751 "bad pixels"), and a sufficiently high cross-correlation
value (e.g., a value of 0.470 at a pixel offset of -2 as shown in
box 20h and banner 20i) and thereby deciding to issue a WOS alert
(as shown in banner 20i), even in the presence of the moving
object.
[0444] k. A Gas Release at 5 Centimeters
[0445] FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C illustrate a variation in which the
object located in the near field region is actually a target
species (e.g., a gas that the system 1000 is desired to detect). In
particular, FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate an example of the WOS alerting
method 1002 of FIG. 10 in which a gas (e.g., propane) is released
in close proximity (e.g., at a 5 cm distance) of the optical window
1506 of one of the systems 1000. The gas release was configured to
cover the full scene being imaged by the system.
[0446] Image 21a of FIG. 21A may be an image captured from a first
WOS channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B and passed through
an unsharp mask (such as in step 1006 of FIG. 10). In image 21a,
the gas release is discernable as general variations across the
image.
[0447] Image 21b may be a version of image 21a after applying an
optional temporal mask (e.g., subtracting out of reference frame as
in step 1008 of FIG. 10)). In image 21b, features that do not
represent changes from a reference frame have been removed. Thus,
in a fixed installation such as the illustrated example, background
features and features associated with static objects are removed
from image 21b. Generally, these features are not associated
objects of interest to the WOS system (e.g., with objects in the
near-field region). Image 21b does highlight the gas release, as
subtracting the reference frame highlights that there are
significant differences from the reference frame. However, the
differences are relatively uniform across the scene, since the gas
release covers the entire scene.
[0448] Image 21e of FIG. 21B may be a version of image 21b (or 21a
if the temporal mask step is skipped) after applying an edge
detection mask (e.g., after applying a Sobel filter as in step 1010
of FIG. 10. In image 21e, the soft features and edges of the
background have been removed as the soft background features are
not associated with objects of interest to the WOS system. In the
present example, the gas release results in a proliferation of
edges all across the scene as shown in images 21e and 21f.
[0449] Images 21c and 21d are equivalent versions of images 21a and
21b, respectively, but corresponding to a second WOS channel such
as optical channel 7 of FIG. 8B. Similarly image 21f is an
equivalent version of image 21e, but corresponding to the second
WOS channel. Thus, images 21c, 21d, and 21f provide similar
information, but with a beneficial parallax offset.
[0450] As shown in images 21e and 21f, a moderate number of pixels
(e.g., 70 "bad pixels" as shown in banner 21i) have a gradient
value above the predetermined threshold and the cross-correlation
values may be relatively high (e.g., have values as high as 0.408
at a 0 pixel shift as shown in banner 21i). The number of such
pixels and the cross-correlation values may be large enough to
satisfy a WOS alert condition.
[0451] Graph 21g of FIG. 21B illustrates cross-correlation values
for images 21e and 21f as a function of various horizontal offsets.
As shown in graph 21g, the example with a gas release at 2 cm have
a peak cross-correlation value just above the threshold illustrated
by box 21h. Graph 21g specifically shows how the gas release causes
significantly higher cross-correlation values across the entire
range of pixel offsets. This result arises because the gas release
causes absorption over the full image in a manner that is
relatively independent of offset. As such, the WOS system described
above would generally issue a WOS alert (as there is a sufficiently
high cross correlation and a sufficient number of "bad"
pixels).
[0452] However, it may be desirable not to issue a WOS alert for
situations similar to the gas release example of FIGS. 21A-21B. As
a result, the WOS system may be configured to subtract one of the
smaller (e.g., a minimum) correlation value from the range of
values inside box 21h from all of the correlation values inside box
21h. An example of an arrangement of this type is illustrated in
FIG. 21C.
[0453] As shown in FIG. 21C, the cross-correlation values in graph
21j, after subtracting one of the lower values (e.g., the minimum
value) within box 21h of FIG. 21B, are lower than the predetermined
threshold (e.g., 0.4 as highlighted by box 21k). Thus, the WOS
system may decide not to issue a WOS alert in such situations, as
illustrated by banner 21l (which shows 70 "bad pixels" but a peak
cross-correlation value of only 0.128 at a 0 pixel offset). In such
situations, the systems 1000 may continue to search for target
species, may recognize the spectral signature of the gas released
in close proximity to the optical window, and may provide suitable
alert to the user upon detection of the target species.
[0454] Thus, the modification of the WOS system described in
connection with FIG. 21C (subtracting one of the lower
cross-correlation values from all cross-correlation values) may
beneficially enable to the WOS system not to trigger as WOS alarm
merely by the presence of a target species in close proximity to
the systems 1000. Instead, the system will only trigger WOS alarms
when objects (which are not the desired target species) are near or
on the optical window. It can generally be seen from FIGS. 11A-21C
that subtracting the one of the lower cross-correlation values
would not impair the ability of the WOS system to alert to the
presence of water or other objects on or near the optical window,
as the cross-correlation values for such conditions generally
include at least one offset having a cross-correlation value near
zero.
[0455] B. Additional Aspects and Variations of WOS Systems
[0456] 1. Single-Channel Window Obscuration Sensors
[0457] In at least some designs, the systems 1000 disclosed herein
can include a single channel window obscuration sensor, that
detects objects on the optical window 1506 (FIG. 7). In particular,
the WOS system may use image data from only a single optical
channel such as optical channel 6 of FIG. 8B.
[0458] In such designs, the system may proceed under the method of
FIG. 10, but may skip some of the steps. As an example, the system
may skip the cross-correlation aspect of step 1012. In at least
some designs, the WOS processing circuitry may apply an unsharp
mask, a temporal difference mask (e.g., subtract out a reference
image), and apply an edge detection process (e.g., apply a Sobel
filter) to an image generated by a single channel WOS system. The
processing circuitry may look at the number of "bad" pixels in the
gradient image (e.g., the number of pixels in the gradient image
showing sharp edges) to determine if there are objects on or near
the optical window. In arrangements in which the single optical
channel is focused on the optical window and region just in front
of the optical window and more distant objects are blurry, these
techniques may be sufficient to identify objects on or near the
optical window with a single optical channel used in a WOS
system.
[0459] 2. Lens Aperture Sizing for Window Obscuration Sensors
[0460] In at least some designs, it may be beneficial to provide
lenses, for any channel(s) used in a WOS system, having a suitable
lens aperture sizing. As an example, it may be desirable for the
lenses (from lens assembly 1502 of FIG. 9) for any channel(s) used
in a WOS system have sufficiently large lens apertures (e.g., that
the lenses are sufficiently fast with a sufficiently low f number)
so as to ensure that objects outside of the immediate proximity
(e.g., further than perhaps 20 cm, 50 cm, or 1 meter) are not also
in focus for the WOS system's optical channel(s). If the WOS system
were provided with lens apertures that were too small (e.g., had
high f numbers), the depth of field of the lenses may extend
undesirably far from the imaging system. As a result, the WOS
system may be undesirably sensitive to distant objects. Since the
WOS system is generally used in detecting nearby objects that may
interfere with proper detection of target species, it is generally
desirable to have the WOS system ignore distant objects.
[0461] In some designs, it may be desirable to provide a lens, for
each WOS channel, having an f number between 3.0 and 1.0, between
2.0 and 1.0, between 1.375 and 1.0, between 1.0 and 0.875, between
1.0 and 0.7 or any combination of these ranges. The f number can be
any value in any range defined by any of these values.
[0462] In at least some arrangements, dual-channel WOS systems may
be less sensitive to the size of the lens apertures in the WOS
system. In particular, dual-channel WOS systems may be able to
utilize parallax effects to exclude distant objects, even if those
objects are in focus due to a higher f number lens and an
associated larger depth of field.
VI. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
[0463] Various examples of imaging systems comprising an optical
window and with capabilities to determine if the optical window is
obscured (e.g., to detect objects on or in front of the window that
may introduce obscuration that may degrade operation of the system)
are described herein such as the additional examples enumerated
below:
[0464] Additional Example 1: An Additional Example of an infrared
(IR) imaging system comprising: [0465] a housing; [0466] an optical
window disposed on the housing; [0467] an optical detector system
disposed within the housing; and [0468] a plurality of spatially
and spectrally distinct optical channels that transfer incident IR
radiation from the optical window to the optical detector system,
wherein a first optical channel out of the plurality of optical
channels has a focus distance that is closer to the optical window
than at least some of the other optical channels of the plurality
of optical channels to detect obscuration that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0469] Additional Example 2: The IR imaging system of Additional
Example 1, wherein the first optical channel out of the plurality
of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus
of greater than 10 meters.
[0470] Additional Example 3: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 2, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 20 meters.
[0471] Additional Example 4: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 30 meters.
[0472] Additional Example 5: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 4, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 10 meters.
[0473] Additional Example 6: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 5, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 20 meters.
[0474] Additional Example 7: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 6, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 30 meters.
[0475] Additional Example 8: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 7, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 5 meters greater than the focus distance of the
first optical channel.
[0476] Additional Example 9: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 8, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 10 meters greater than the focus distance of the
first optical channel.
[0477] Additional Example 10: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 9, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 20 meters greater than the focus distance of the
first optical channel.
[0478] Additional Example 11: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 10, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus distance of 1
meter or less.
[0479] Additional Example 12: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 11, wherein the first optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus distance of 2
meter or less.
[0480] Additional Example 13: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 12, wherein the first optical channel and
the other optical channels include imaging lenses for imaging
objects onto the optical detector system, said imaging lenses
having focal lengths.
[0481] Additional Example 14: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 13, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the first
optical channel.
[0482] Additional Example 15: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 14, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the first
optical channel by at least 2.times..
[0483] Additional Example 16: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 15, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the first
optical channel by at least 5.times..
[0484] Additional Example 17: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 16, wherein the first optical channel is
in focus at the optical window to detect obscuration that may
degrade operation of the system.
[0485] Additional Example 18: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 17, wherein the first optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the first optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 1
meter beyond the optical window.
[0486] Additional Example 19: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 18, wherein the first optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the first optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 50
cm beyond the optical window.
[0487] Additional Example 20: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 19, wherein the first optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the first optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 20
cm beyond the optical window.
[0488] Additional Example 21: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 20, wherein the first optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the first optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 10
cm beyond the optical window.
[0489] Additional Example 22: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 21, further comprising: [0490] a
processing unit comprising processing electronics configured to
process image data from the first optical channel to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0491] Additional Example 23: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 22, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate how much of the image data is in focus to
detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0492] Additional Example 24: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 23, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate the contrast of the image data to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0493] Additional Example 25: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 24, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge enhancement of the image data.
[0494] Additional Example 26: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 25, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge detection of the image data.
[0495] Additional Example 27: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 26, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform normalization of the image data.
[0496] Additional Example 28: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 27, wherein the normalization of the image
data comprises scaling the image data.
[0497] Additional Example 29: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 28, wherein the normalization of the image
data comprises subtracting from the image data.
[0498] Additional Example 30: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 29, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate whether image data exceeds a threshold to
determine whether obscuration is present that may degrade operation
of the system.
[0499] Additional Example 31: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 30, wherein a second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus distance that is
closer to the optical window than at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0500] Additional Example 32: The IR imaging system of Additional
Example 31, wherein the second optical channel out of the plurality
of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters and other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have a focus
of greater than 10 meters.
[0501] Additional Example 33: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 32, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 20 meters.
[0502] Additional Example 34: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 33, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus less than 2 meters
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 30 meters.
[0503] Additional Example 35: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 34, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 10 meters.
[0504] Additional Example 36: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 35, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 20 meters.
[0505] Additional Example 37: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 36, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus of 1 meter or less
and other optical channels of the plurality of optical channels
have a focus of greater than 30 meters.
[0506] Additional Example 38: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 37, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 5 meters greater than the focus distance of the
second optical channel.
[0507] Additional Example 39: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 38, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 10 meters greater than the focus distance of the
second optical channel.
[0508] Additional Example 40: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 39, wherein at least some of the other
optical channels of the plurality of optical channels have focus
distances at least 20 meters greater than the focus distance of the
second optical channel.
[0509] Additional Example 41: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 40, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus distance of 1
meter or less.
[0510] Additional Example 42: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 41, wherein the second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels has a focus distance of 2
meter or less.
[0511] Additional Example 43: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 42, wherein the second optical channel and
the other optical channels include imaging lenses for imaging
objects onto the optical detector system, said imaging lenses
having focal lengths.
[0512] Additional Example 44: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 43, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the
second optical channel.
[0513] Additional Example 45: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 44, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the
second optical channel by at least 2.times..
[0514] Additional Example 46: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 45, wherein the focal lengths for lenses
in the other optical channels exceed the focal length for the
second optical channel by at least 5.times..
[0515] Additional Example 47: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 46, wherein a second optical channel out
of the plurality of optical channels is in focus at the optical
window to detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the
system.
[0516] Additional Example 48: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 47, wherein the second optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the second optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 1
meter beyond the optical window.
[0517] Additional Example 49: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 48, wherein the second optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the second optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 50
cm beyond the optical window.
[0518] Additional Example 50: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 49, wherein the second optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the second optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 20
cm beyond the optical window.
[0519] Additional Example 51: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 50, wherein the second optical channel has
a depth of field over which the optical channel is substantially in
focus and wherein the depth of field of the second optical channel
extends between a depth of the optical window and approximately 10
cm beyond the optical window.
[0520] Additional Example 52: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 51, wherein the processing unit is
configured to process image data from the second optical channel to
detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0521] Additional Example 53: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 52, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate how much of the image data from the second
optical channel is in focus to detect obscuration that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0522] Additional Example 54: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 53, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate the contrast of the image data from the
second optical channel to detect obscuration that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0523] Additional Example 55: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 54, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge enhancement of the image data from the
second optical channel.
[0524] Additional Example 56: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 55, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge detection of the image data from the
second optical channel.
[0525] Additional Example 57: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 56, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform normalization of the image data from the
second optical channel.
[0526] Additional Example 58: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 57, wherein the normalization of the image
data comprises scaling the image data from the second optical
channel.
[0527] Additional Example 59: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 58, wherein the normalization of the image
data comprises subtracting from the image data from the second
optical channel.
[0528] Additional Example 60: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 59, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate whether image data from the second optical
channel exceeds a threshold to determine whether obscuration is
present that may degrade operation of the system.
[0529] Additional Example 61: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 60, wherein a plurality of the optical
channels are in focus at optical infinity to detect a target
species.
[0530] Additional Example 62: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 61, wherein a plurality of the optical
channels are in focus at a distance of at least 10 meters to detect
a target species.
[0531] Additional Example 63: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 62, wherein a plurality of the optical
channels are in focus at a distance of at least 20 meters to detect
a target species.
[0532] Additional Example 64: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 63, wherein the processing unit is further
configured to process image data from the plurality of optical
channels to detect the target species.
[0533] Additional Example 65: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 64, wherein the optical detector system
comprises a plurality of optical detectors, each of which is
associated with a respective one of the optical channels.
[0534] Additional Example 66: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 65, wherein the optical detector system
comprises at least one optical detector having a plurality of
regions, each of the regions being associated with a respective one
of the optical channels.
[0535] Additional Example 67: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 66, wherein: [0536] a second optical
channel out of the plurality of optical channels is in focus at the
optical window; and [0537] the processing unit is configured to
process image data from the first and second optical channels to
detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0538] Additional Example 68: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 67, wherein the processing unit is
configured to: [0539] compare image data from the first and second
optical channels to detect obscuration that may degrade operation
of the system.
[0540] Additional Example 69: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 68, wherein comparing the first and second
images comprises comparing the first and second images and using
differences between the first and second images caused by parallax
to determine whether obscuration is present that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0541] Additional Example 70: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 69, wherein comparing the first and second
images comprises performing a correlation of the first and second
images.
[0542] Additional Example 71: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 70, wherein the first and second optical
channels are spatially distinct in a given direction and wherein
processing unit is configured to: [0543] comparing image data from
the first and second optical channels at a plurality of offsets
along the given direction to detect obscuration that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0544] Additional Example 72: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 71, wherein the processing unit is
configured to enhance edges in the image data from the two optical
channels.
[0545] Additional Example 73: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 72, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply an unsharp mask to the image data from the two
optical channels.
[0546] Additional Example 74: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 73, wherein the processing unit is
configured to subtract at least one reference image from the image
data from the two optical channels.
[0547] Additional Example 75: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 74, wherein the processing unit is
configured to detect edges in the image data from the two optical
channels.
[0548] Additional Example 76: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 75, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply an edge detection mask to the image data from
the two optical channels.
[0549] Additional Example 77: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 76, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply a Sobel filter to the image data from the two
optical channels.
[0550] Additional Example 78: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 77, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply a Sobel filter to the image data from the two
optical channels to create first and second gradient images.
[0551] Additional Example 79: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 78, wherein the processing unit is
configured to normalize the first and second gradient images.
[0552] Additional Example 80: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 79, wherein the processing unit is
configured to cross-correlate the first and second gradient images
to detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0553] Additional Example 81: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 80, wherein the window is embedded in the
housing or is in an opening in the housing.
[0554] Additional Example 82: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 81, wherein the IR imaging system is
configured to compensate for effects of attenuation due to
obscuration.
[0555] Additional Example 83: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 82, wherein said IR imaging system is
configured such that operation of the system includes performing
spectral analysis on images to detect target species and wherein
said IR imaging system is configured to compensate for effects of
attenuation due to obscuration on said spectral analysis.
[0556] Additional Example 84: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 83, wherein said IR imaging system is
configured such that operation of the system includes performing
spectral analysis on images to detect target species and wherein
said IR imaging system is configured to deemphasize one or more
frames of infrared image data from the other optical channels of
the plurality of optical channels in the determination of the
presence of a target species.
[0557] Additional Example 85: An Additional Example of an infrared
(IR) imaging system for imaging a target species in a scene, the IR
imaging system comprising: [0558] an optical window; [0559] a first
camera system configured to acquire infrared image data of the
scene through the optical window; [0560] a second camera system
focused closer to the optical window than the first camera system;
and [0561] a processing unit containing a processor configured to:
[0562] analyze the infrared image data from the first camera system
to detect the target species based on the infrared image data; and
[0563] analyze image data from the second camera system to
determine whether obscuration is present that may degrade operation
of the system based on the image data from the second camera
system.
[0564] Additional Example 86: The IR imaging system of Additional
Example 85, wherein the first and second camera system comprise
first and second optical channels that are spatially and spectrally
distinct.
[0565] Additional Example 87: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 86, wherein said processing unit is
configured to provide a window obscuration alert after determining
that obscuration is present that may degrade operation of the
system.
[0566] Additional Example 88: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 87, wherein the processing unit is
configured to receive the window obscuration alert and, in
response, to adjust the infrared image data from the first camera
system in compensation for the obscuration.
[0567] Additional Example 89: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 88, wherein the processing unit is
configured to receive the window obscuration alert and, in
response, to disable analysis of the infrared image data from the
first camera system.
[0568] Additional Example 90: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 89, wherein the processing unit is
configured to receive the window obscuration alert and, in
response, deemphasize one or more frames of infrared image data
from the first camera system in the determination of the presence
of a target species.
[0569] Additional Example 91: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 90, wherein the IR imaging system is
configured to compensate for effects of attenuation due to
obscuration.
[0570] Additional Example 92: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 91, wherein said IR imaging system is
configured to perform spectral analysis on images to detect target
species and is configured to compensate for effects of attenuation
due to the obscuration on said spectral analysis.
[0571] Additional Example 93: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 92, wherein the processing unit is
configured to provide the window obscuration alert to a user.
[0572] Additional Example 94: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 93, wherein the IR imaging system further
comprises: [0573] an optical focal plane array (FPA) divided into
portions; and [0574] a plurality of lens assemblies, each lens
assembly configured to focus light from the scene onto a different
one of the portions of the FPA.
[0575] Additional Example 95: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 94, wherein: [0576] the first camera
system is formed from a plurality of the lens assemblies and a
plurality of the portions of the FPA; and [0577] the second camera
system is formed from one of the lens assemblies and one of the
portions of the FPA.
[0578] Additional Example 96: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 95, wherein: [0579] the first camera
system is formed from a plurality of the lens assemblies and a
plurality of the portions of the FPA; and [0580] the second camera
system is formed from two of the lens assemblies and two of the
portions of the FPA.
[0581] Additional Example 97: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 96, wherein: [0582] the first camera
system is formed from a plurality of the lens assemblies and a
plurality of the portions of the FPA; and [0583] the second camera
system is formed from two of the lens assemblies and two of the
portions of the FPA, wherein the two lens assemblies and the two
portions of the FPA that form the second camera system comprise
adjacent lens assemblies and adjacent portions of the FPA.
[0584] Additional Example 98: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 97, wherein the IR imaging system further
comprises: [0585] a plurality of optical focal plane arrays (FPA);
and [0586] a plurality of lenses, different lenses configured to
focus light from the scene onto a different ones of FPAs.
[0587] Additional Example 99: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 98, wherein the IR imaging system further
comprises: [0588] a plurality of optical focal plane arrays (FPA);
and [0589] a plurality of lens assemblies, different lens
assemblies configured to focus light from the scene onto a
different ones of FPAs.
[0590] Additional Example 100: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 99, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate how much of the image data is in focus to
detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0591] Additional Example 101: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 100, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate the contrast of the image data to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0592] Additional Example 102: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 101, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge enhancement of the image data.
[0593] Additional Example 103: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 102, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform edge detection of the image data.
[0594] Additional Example 104: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 103, wherein the processing unit is
configured to perform normalization of the image data.
[0595] Additional Example 105: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 104, wherein the normalization of the
image data comprises scaling the image data.
[0596] Additional Example 106: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 105, wherein the normalization of the
image data comprises subtracting from the image data.
[0597] Additional Example 107: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 106, wherein the processing unit is
configured to evaluate whether image data exceeds a threshold to
determine whether obscuration is present that may degrade operation
of the system.
[0598] Additional Example 108: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 107, wherein analyzing image data from
the second camera system comprises: [0599] analyzing image data
from first and second optical channels of the second camera system
to detect obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0600] Additional Example 109: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 108, wherein the processing unit is
configured to: [0601] compare image data from the first and second
optical channels to detect obscuration that may degrade operation
of the system.
[0602] Additional Example 110: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 109, wherein comparing the first and
second images comprises comparing the first and second images and
using differences between the first and second images caused by
parallax to determine whether obscuration is present that may
degrade operation of the system.
[0603] Additional Example 111: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 110, wherein comparing the first and
second images comprises performing a correlation of the first and
second images.
[0604] Additional Example 112: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 111, wherein the first and second optical
channels are spatially distinct in a given direction and wherein
processing unit is configured to: [0605] compare image data from
the first and second optical channels at a plurality of offsets
along the given direction to detect obscuration that may degrade
operation of the system.
[0606] Additional Example 113: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 112, wherein the processing unit is
configured to enhance edges in the image data from the first and
second optical channels.
[0607] Additional Example 114: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 113, wherein the processing unit is
configured to subtract at least one reference image from the image
data from the first and second optical channels.
[0608] Additional Example 115: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 114, wherein the processing unit is
configured to detect edges in the image data from the first and
second optical channels.
[0609] Additional Example 116: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 115, wherein the processing unit is
configured to apply an edge detection mask to the image data from
the first and second optical channels.
[0610] Additional Example 117: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 116, wherein the processing unit
containing the processor is configured to determine whether
obscuration is present that may degrade operation of the system
based on the image data from the second camera system by: [0611]
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0612]
receiving a second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0613]
transforming the first and second images into respective first and
second gradient images; [0614] determining that the gradient images
have gradient values that exceed a first predetermined threshold;
[0615] providing the window obscuration alert after determining
that the gradient values exceed the first predetermined
threshold.
[0616] Additional Example 118: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 117, wherein the processing unit
containing the processor is configured to determine whether
obscuration is present that may degrade operation of the system
based on the image data from the second camera system by: [0617]
receiving a first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0618]
receiving a second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0619]
transforming the first and second images into respective first and
second gradient images; [0620] determining that the first and
second gradient images have a cross-correlation value that exceeds
a first predetermined threshold; and [0621] providing the window
obscuration alert after determining that the cross-correlation
value exceeds the first predetermined threshold.
[0622] Additional Example 119: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 118, wherein the processing unit
containing the processor is configured to determine whether
obscuration is present that may degrade operation of the system on
the image data from the second camera system by: [0623] receiving a
first image from a first portion of the FPA; [0624] receiving a
second image from a second portion of the FPA; [0625] transforming
the first and second images into respective first and second
gradient images; [0626] determining that the gradient images have
gradient values that exceed a first predetermined threshold; [0627]
cross-correlating the first and second gradient images; [0628]
determining that the first and second gradient images have a
cross-correlation value that exceeds a second predetermined
threshold; and [0629] providing the window obscuration alert after
determining that the gradient values exceed the first predetermined
threshold and the cross-correlation value exceeds the second
predetermined threshold.
[0630] Additional Example 120: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 119, wherein: [0631] determining that the
first and second gradient images have a cross-correlation value
that exceeds a second predetermined threshold comprises: [0632]
determining a plurality of cross-correlation values, each being
associated with a different alignment of the first and second
gradient images; and [0633] determining that at least one
cross-correlation value in the plurality of cross-correlation
values exceeds the second predetermined threshold.
[0634] Additional Example 121: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 120, wherein: [0635] determining that the
first and second gradient images have a cross-correlation value
that exceeds a second predetermined threshold comprises: [0636]
determining a plurality of cross-correlation values, each being
associated with a different alignment of the first and second
gradient images; [0637] identifying a first cross-correlation value
in the plurality of cross-correlation values; [0638] subtracting
the first cross-correlation value from each of the
cross-correlation values in the plurality of cross-correlation
values; [0639] after subtracting the first cross-correlation value,
identifying a second cross-correlation value in the plurality of
cross-correlation values; and [0640] determining that the second
cross-correlation value exceeds the second predetermined
threshold.
[0641] Additional Example 122: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 121, wherein transforming the first and
second images into respective first and second gradient images
comprises applying a Sobel filter to the first and second
images.
[0642] Additional Example 123: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 122, wherein transforming the first and
second images into respective first and second gradient images
comprises applying a Sobel filter to the first and second images
and removing values from the gradient images that fall below a
predetermined threshold.
[0643] Additional Example 124: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 123, wherein, prior to cross-correlating
the first and second gradient images, the processing unit is
configured to normalize each of the gradient images.
[0644] Additional Example 125: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 124, wherein, prior to cross-correlating
the first and second gradient images, the processing unit is
configured to normalize each of the gradient images by, for each
gradient image, subtracting a median value from each gradient image
and dividing each gradient image by a standard deviation value.
[0645] Additional Example 126: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 125, wherein, prior to cross-correlating
the first and second gradient images, the processing unit is
configured to normalize each of the gradient images.
[0646] Additional Example 127: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 126, wherein, prior to transforming the
first and second images into respective first and second gradient
images, the processing unit is configured to subtract a first
reference image from the first image and subtract a second
reference image from the second image.
[0647] Additional Example 128: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 127, wherein the second camera system is
focused within 1 meter of the optical window.
[0648] Additional Example 129: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 128, wherein the second camera system is
focused within 2 meters of the optical window.
[0649] Additional Example 130: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 129, wherein the second camera system is
focused on the optical window.
[0650] Additional Example 131: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 130, wherein the first camera system is
focused at a distance of at least 10 meters.
[0651] Additional Example 132: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 131, wherein the first camera system is
focused at a distance of at least 20 meters.
[0652] Additional Example 133: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 132, wherein the first camera system is
focused at a distance of at least 25 meters.
[0653] Additional Example 134: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 133, wherein the first and second camera
systems have respective imaging lenses having respective focal
lengths, and the focal length for the first camera is 2 times as
large as the focal length for the second camera.
[0654] Additional Example 135: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 85 to 134, wherein the first and second camera
systems have respective imaging lenses having respective focal
lengths, and the focal length for the first camera is 5 times as
large as the focal length for the second camera.
[0655] Additional Example 136: An Additional Example of a method of
detecting obscuration of an optical window in an IR imaging system,
the IR imaging system comprising processing circuitry and a
plurality of spatially and spectrally distinct optical channels,
each optical channel including a set of lenses that focus incident
IR light on a respective portion of an optical detector system, the
method comprising: [0656] with the processing circuitry, receiving
a first image from a first optical channel in the plurality of
optical channels; [0657] with the processing circuitry, receiving a
second image from a second optical channel in the plurality of
optical channels; and [0658] with the processing circuitry,
analyzing the first and second images to detect obscuration that
may degrade operation of the system.
[0659] Additional Example 137: The method of Additional Example
136, wherein the first and second images are in focus at the depth
of the optical window.
[0660] Additional Example 138: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 137, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises, with the processing circuitry, comparing the first and
second images to identify obscuration that may degrade operation of
the system.
[0661] Additional Example 139: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 138, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises, with the processing circuitry, comparing the first and
second images and using differences between the first and second
images caused by parallax to determine whether obscuration is
present that may degrade operation of the system.
[0662] Additional Example 140: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 139, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises evaluating how much of the images are in focus to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0663] Additional Example 141: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 140, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises evaluating the contrast of the images to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0664] Additional Example 142: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 141, further comprising performing edge
enhancement.
[0665] Additional Example 143: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 142, further comprising performing edge
detection.
[0666] Additional Example 144: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 143, further comprising normalizing image data.
[0667] Additional Example 145: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 144, wherein the normalizing comprises scaling
image data.
[0668] Additional Example 146: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 145, wherein the normalizing comprises subtracting
from image data.
[0669] Additional Example 147: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 146, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises performing a correlation of the first and second
images.
[0670] Additional Example 148: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 147, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises comparing image data from the first and second images at
a plurality of offsets along the given direction to detect
obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0671] Additional Example 149: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 148, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises evaluating whether image data exceeds a threshold to
determine obscuration that may degrade operation of the system.
[0672] Additional Example 150: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 149, wherein analyzing the first and second images
comprises, with the processing circuitry, applying an unsharp mask
to the first and second images.
[0673] Additional Example 151: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 150, further comprising: [0674] with the processing
circuitry, subtracting a first reference image from the first image
and subtracting a second reference image from the second image.
[0675] Additional Example 152: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 151, further comprising: [0676] with the processing
circuitry, detecting edges in the first and second images.
[0677] Additional Example 153: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 152, further comprising: [0678] with the processing
circuitry, applying a Sobel filter to the first and second
images.
[0679] Additional Example 154: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 153, further comprising: [0680] with the processing
circuitry, applying a Sobel filter to the first and second images
to create respective first and second gradient images.
[0681] Additional Example 155: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 154, further comprising: [0682] with the processing
circuitry, normalizing the first and second gradient images.
[0683] Additional Example 156: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 155, further comprising: [0684] with the processing
circuitry, cross-correlating the first and second gradient
images.
[0685] Additional Example 157: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 156, further comprising: [0686] with the processing
circuitry, determining that at least one cross-correlation between
the first and second gradient images exceeds a first window
obscuration threshold and that the first and second gradient images
exceed a second window obscuration threshold and, in response,
providing an alert that the optical window is obscured.
[0687] Additional Example 158: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 157, wherein operation of the system comprises
detecting a target species based on image data from said plurality
of spatially and spectrally distinct optical channels.
[0688] Additional Example 159: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 158, further comprising performing spectral
analysis to detect said target species.
[0689] Additional Example 160: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 159, further comprising adjusting image data from
the plurality of optical channels to compensate for effects of
attenuation due to the window being obscured.
[0690] Additional Example 161: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 160, further comprising de-emphasizing one or more
frames of image data from the plurality of optical channels in the
determination of the presence of a target species.
[0691] Additional Example 162: The method of any one of Additional
Examples 136 to 161, further comprising sending an alert when the
window is obscured.
[0692] Additional Example 163: The IR imaging system of any one of
Additional Examples 1 to 135, wherein said IR imaging system is
configured such that operation of the system includes performing
spectral analysis on images to detect target species.
[0693] Any of Additional Examples 1 to 163 can include any of the
features described above (for example, any of the features in
Examples 1 to 163).
VII. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
[0694] Each of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used to
estimate various characteristics of gases present in a gas leak
imaged by the infrared imaging systems disclosed herein.
[0695] References throughout this specification to "one
embodiment," "an embodiment," "a related embodiment," or similar
language mean that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the referred to
"embodiment" is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment,"
"in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment. It is to be understood that no portion of disclosure,
taken on its own and in possible connection with a figure, is
intended to provide a complete description of all features of the
invention.
[0696] In the drawings like numbers are used to represent the same
or similar elements wherever possible. The depicted structural
elements are generally not to scale, and certain components are
enlarged relative to the other components for purposes of emphasis
and understanding. It is to be understood that no single drawing is
intended to support a complete description of all features of the
invention. In other words, a given drawing is generally descriptive
of only some, and generally not all, features of the invention. A
given drawing and an associated portion of the disclosure
containing a description referencing such drawing do not,
generally, contain all elements of a particular view or all
features that can be presented is this view, for purposes of
simplifying the given drawing and discussion, and to direct the
discussion to particular elements that are featured in this
drawing. A skilled artisan will recognize that the invention may
possibly be practiced without one or more of the specific features,
elements, components, structures, details, or characteristics, or
with the use of other methods, components, materials, and so forth.
Therefore, although a particular detail of an embodiment of the
invention may not be necessarily shown in each and every drawing
describing such embodiment, the presence of this detail in the
drawing may be implied unless the context of the description
requires otherwise. In other instances, well known structures,
details, materials, or operations may be not shown in a given
drawing or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an
embodiment of the invention that are being discussed. Furthermore,
the described single features, structures, or characteristics of
the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
further embodiments.
[0697] Moreover, if the schematic flow chart diagram is included,
it is generally set forth as a logical flow-chart diagram. As such,
the depicted order and labeled steps of the logical flow are
indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps
and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function,
logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the
illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed
are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are
understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various
arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow-chart
diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the
corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may
be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For
instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of
unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted
method. Without loss of generality, the order in which processing
steps or particular methods occur may or may not strictly adhere to
the order of the corresponding steps shown.
[0698] The features recited in claims appended to this disclosure
are intended to be assessed in light of the disclosure as a
whole.
[0699] At least some elements of a device of the invention can be
controlled--and at least some steps of a method of the invention
can be effectuated, in operation--with a programmable processor
governed by instructions stored in a memory. The memory may be
random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory or
any other memory, or combination thereof, suitable for storing
control software or other instructions and data. Those skilled in
the art should also readily appreciate that instructions or
programs defining the functions of the present invention may be
delivered to a processor in many forms, including, but not limited
to, information permanently stored on non-writable storage media
(e.g. read-only memory devices within a computer, such as ROM, or
devices readable by a computer I/O attachment, such as CD-ROM or
DVD disks), information alterably stored on writable storage media
(e.g. floppy disks, removable flash memory and hard drives) or
information conveyed to a computer through communication media,
including wired or wireless computer networks. In addition, while
the invention may be embodied in software, the functions necessary
to implement the invention may optionally or alternatively be
embodied in part or in whole using firmware and/or hardware
components, such as combinatorial logic, Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
or other hardware or some combination of hardware, software and/or
firmware components.
[0700] While examples of embodiments of the system and method of
the invention have been discussed in reference to the gas-cloud
detection, monitoring, and quantification (including but not
limited to greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Carbon
Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide as well as hydrocarbon gases such as
Methane, Ethane, Propane, n-Butane, iso-Butane, n-Pentane,
iso-Pentane, neo-Pentane, Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Hexafluoride,
Ammonia, Benzene, p- and m-Xylene, Vinyl chloride, Toluene,
Propylene oxide, Propylene, Methanol, Hydrazine, Ethanol,
1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, Dichlorobenzene,
Chlorobenzene, to name just a few), embodiments of the invention
can be readily adapted for other chemical detection applications.
For example, detection of liquid and solid chemical spills,
biological weapons, tracking targets based on their chemical
composition, identification of satellites and space debris,
ophthalmological imaging, microscopy and cellular imaging,
endoscopy, mold detection, fire and flame detection, and pesticide
detection are within the scope of the invention.
[0701] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a
list of items refers to any combination of those items, including
single members. As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" is
intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.
[0702] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on
or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. The steps of a method or algorithm
disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable
software module which may reside on a computer-readable medium.
Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and
communication media including any medium that can be enabled to
transfer a computer program from one place to another. A storage
media may be any available media that may be accessed by a
computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store
desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures
and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection can be
properly termed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used
herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where
disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce
data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above also may be
included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally,
the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any
combination or set of codes and instructions on a machine readable
medium and computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into
a computer program product.
[0703] Various modifications to the implementations described in
this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to
other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of
this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to
the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel
features disclosed herein.
[0704] Certain features that are described in this specification in
the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in
combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various
features that are described in the context of a single
implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations
separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although
features may be described above as acting in certain combinations
and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a
claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the
combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a
subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
* * * * *